UPDATE STRIKE BY CHHETRIS, BRAHMINS, DASHNAMI AND OTHER GROUPS DISRUPTS NORMAL LIFE Kathmandu, 17 May: A nation-wide strike Thursday of Chhetis,, Bradmins, Dashnam, Rashtriya Janamorcha and other groups opposed to a federal structure while seeking official recognition of sidelined groups disrupted life. Vehicles were vandalized in the capital and clashes broke out. MORE MADESH FRONT TELLS PM IT MAY WALKOUT OF GOVT.ON ISSUE OF 11 PROVINCES Kathmandu, 17 May: A front of the Madesh Morcha in government told Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai in a meeting at the official residence of the government thefront will walkout of government if amendments aren’t made in a proposal to declare 11 unnamed provinces, The front leaders met the premier after a review meeting of the agreement of the bIG Three to launch 11 provinces while carving five regions in th eterai. amid demands for One Madesh One Pradesh.. The front threatened to walkout of government and launch protests ins and out of parliament, Health Minister and NSP Chairman Rajendra Mahoto said. A broader Madesh front led by Upendra Yadav also opposed 11 provinces. MORE .. PARLIAMENT SESSSION BEGINS UPDATE Kathmandu, 17 May: Parliament session began one hour later Thursday and briefly adjourned the meeting after Speaker Subash Nemwang read a letter of President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav who convened the session. The meeting is yet to resume. Government has registered a proposal to shorten the process of amending the constitution to replace the existing procedure to approve each article for amendment through two-third vote in the 601-mmber legislature. Instead, the government amendment proposal which has support of major parties seeks constitutional amendment by passing change in one vote. MORE