Violence swells in Madesh

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 17 Feb: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s
promises to hold the 10 April assembly elections received a major setback Sunday as Chairman of Madesh Janatantrik Forum Upendra Yadav rejected the government chief’s invitation for talks which Koirala hoped to continue Sunday after an initial move Friday.
Yadav said Koirala’s Friday remarks that he would not compromise on national integrity while rejecting calls for self-determination and provincial rule weren’t helpful.
The clashes in terai adjoining India snowballed.
Curfews were slapped in towns in Siraha, Sarlahi and Nepalgunj where one person was killed in a firing and nearly 50 others, including policemen, were injured.
There’s no sign violence coupled with the strike with six demands will abate.
The strike and threatened blockade has already created shortages nationwide.
The strike has hit Limbuwan hill districts were self-determination has also been demanded at the sate time as the Election Commission’s first deadline to end a political dispute between government and groups expired last Wednesday.
One Commissioner extended the deadline for one more week until coming Wednesday even as Koirala said he’ll hold elections—almost impossible now.
Koilara Sunday ordered movement of POL products under security escort as amid shortages.
Clashes and firings were reported from Biratnagar, Birgunj, Janakpur, Janeshwor, Bhairahawa and other major towns in the terai.
An armed group shot dead a chicken farm worker in Rupendaehi.
Meanwhile, Green Party Nepal announced a boycott of the election charging it cannot ‘free, fair and impartial’ as the violence spread in the south.
"…no sane Nepali will risk life to go polling booth to cast the vote," party chairman Kuber Sharma said.
"The violent insurgency by the proponents of racialism , federalism and religionism has weakened the solid structure of our national unity."
Sharma called for a neutral government with the dissolution of parliament and government.
He charged government for being a ‘vassal state’ without naming India and called for a correction.
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