Tharus withdraw 13-day violent protest

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 15 March: Tharus overnight withdrew a 13-day violent protest after getting concession from government to amend the interim constitution which will recognize the independent position of the community in Madesh.
The constitution will recognize the south bordering India as a Terai, Madesh region; the interim constitution calls the south as only Madesh.
Tharus reached a six-point agreement in direct talks with Prime Minister Prachanda; Tharus refused to hold talks with Peace Minister Janardhan Sharma Prabhakar who later signed the agreement with representatives of Tharus in the government chief’s presence.
Muslims also withdrew a planned Valley strike Sunday after the late night agreement with the group as well.
The agreement recognizes four Tharus during the protests as martyrs.
Government has recognized the independent position of Tharus, Madeshis, Dalits Muslims and other minorities.
The protest turned into ethnic violence as Tharus said they were indigenous people of the terai and weren’t Madeshis demanding de-listing from the group prepared by government.
Positions for the community will be reserved in police, armed police, military, education and other government sectors through amendments in acts.
Seven parties, including Madesh Janaadhkar Forum, Saturday held talks
to hold a common position on the community demand.
Forum leader and Agriculture Minister Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta said his party will oppose any attempts to delete reference of Madesh from the constitution.
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Girija returning home Sunday

Kathmandu, 15 March: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala held telephonic conversation Saturday with Sonia Gandhi who was out of the Indian capital.
Koirala returns home later Sunday.
He also held discussions Samajbadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Koirala, who also had a health check-up, will hold talks with Communist leader Sitaram Yechiri Sunday.
A meeting with Prime Minister Manmonan Singh until Saturday evening.
Maoists have charged former King Gyanendra and leaders of political parties has flown to the Indian capital to revive monarchy.
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Alleged French pedophile arrested; Tibetans stage protests

Kathmandu, 15March: Alleged French pedophile Jean Jacques Haye, 60, was nabbed by police from Gokarna Saturday.
Interpol has issued a red corner notice against him.
Three westerners were arrested Saturday after they and Tibetans defied prohibitory orders around the Chinese embassy and the visa section in Hattisar to protest crackdown in Lhasa one year ago.
Nearly 50 Tibetans were arrested from Baudha where they also staged protest demonstrations.
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Maoist office bombed in Nepalgunj

Kathmandu, 15 March: Maoist district office was bombed in Nepalgunj overnight.
The socket bomb attack caused minor damage.
The Nepali Congress was also bombed in the morning.
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