Tharu protests paralyze life in terai, hills

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 13 March: Continuing Tharu protests against their inclusion in Masdeshi ranks have paralyzed life in the terai and the hills as well.
Vehicles, including fuel tankers, are moving under security escort amid scarcity of fuel and essential goods in the terai and hill districts.
Indigenous groups have also supported the Tharu demand for de-listing from Mahesh group.
The strike entered its 12th day Friday with a two-day break for holi.
Schools and industries have also closed down mainly in the terai.
Preparations for SLC examinations beginning 25 March have been disrupted as education authorities encounter difficulties in transporting question papers to districts.
Collection of public opinion by parliamentary teams for drafting a constitution has also been disturbed by the prolonged Tharu protests.
After protestors torched Indian-registered vehicles along national highways, India has closed the customs point at Jogbani where 600 vehicles are stranded.
Five village development committee offices were torched by protestors overnight in Dang where there is a large Tharu population.
PM Parchanda visited ailing CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal at home in Chauni Friday and discussed the extended protests and agreed to meet demands.
Unified CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML have agreed to amend the interim constitution and an ordinance on inclusiveness to meet protestors’ demands.
The two parties agreed the demands are ‘rightful’.
MJF leader and Agriculture Minister Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta charged Thursday main political parties, including Maoists, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, were inciting Tharus against Madeshis and warned of dire consequences.
Gupta said his party would oppose moves to amend the ordinance on inclusiveness to meet Tharu demands; the ordinance, he said, had met Madeshi demands.
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Nepal, India officials continue water talks for second day

Kathmandu, 13 March: Nepal, India secretary-level water resources talks continued in New Delhi for the second day Friday, March 13, 2009 The Nepali team is led by Water Resources Secretary Shanker Koirala who said agreement has already been reached to complete a feasibility report on the Naumure hydro project by April.
The officials are also reviewing progress on water resources development and sharing after talks at joint secretary level.
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