UPDATE FAR-WEST CLOSED FOR 16TH DAY. CLOSURE SPREADS TO MID-WEST; OTHER DETAILS Kathmandu, 12 May; Activists of a greater far-West in nine districts of the region came out on the streets for the 16th day Saturday pressing their demands following clashes with Tharus one day earlier injuring more than three dozen protestors. Tharus are demanding a province amalgamating Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the region. Preparations are afoot in the capital for talks between government and negotiators of the far-West to end the prolonged strike creating hardships for inhabitants of the poorest region in the country. Provincial demand Saturday spread to the mid-West where advocates of a province incorporating 15 districts closed down the region indefinitely. All exports and imports through Birgunj came to a halt Saturday. MORE