Madhesi threaten indefinite blockade and strikes

Leaders of the Madhesi community in the east of Nepal's southern Terai region have threatened indefinite nationwide strikes and blockades if the government fails to meet their demands.

Local Madhesi political leaders in Biratnagar said they were angry over the failure of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and his government to meet their demands.

"We have been very patient quite long enough as we had given enough time to the government to hold fruitful talks with our leaders and reach a decision - but in vain," Jaya Ram Yadav, senior leader of the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF), told IRIN.

The MPRF said on Tuesday it would call a seven-day strike between 26 February and 5 March. After that, the leaders have threatened to hold strikes and stage blockades all over the Terai region if there is still no response to their demands.

The MPRF has been demanding greater autonomy and political rights for the marginalised Madhesi community. The forum said the only way to develop their community was through political rights and by establishing an autonomous region for the Madhesi people in the Terai.

Nearly 31 people were killed and hundreds injured by the police in more than three weeks of violence that crippled the eastern Terai between 17 January and 8 February. The government eventually agreed to talk to the Madhesi leaders and in response the MPRF halted their protests but gave a 10-day deadline, which expired on 19 February.

But with the deadline passed and no deal with the government, the Madhesi leaders have said they will bring the region to a standstill – a mood shared by ordinary Madhesis.

"Even it means death for me, I don’t care any more," said local farmer Rasul Bikas, who was shot during the unrest.

...Even it means death for me, I don’t care any more...

Many civilians in eastern Nepal, however, are concerned their situation might deteriorate when the protests resume.

"We have yet to see how responsibly the government will act if it is really concerned about the welfare of the citizens, who are already filled with fear as there is no certainty about how the situation will prevail in the next few days," said Parmeswar Singh, a local villager.

Although Madhesi leaders have told local human rights groups they will be peaceful, there is a risk of protests turning violent and impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance, say activists.

"We have already appealed to both the government authorities and Madhesi leaders not to obstruct the regular flow of essential supplies, especially food and medicines," said Kailash Siwakoti, senior officer from the National Human Rights Commission in Biratnagar.

Siwakoti added that humanitarian assistance had been hampered when ambulances and food trucks were not allowed to operate by protesters. The curfews imposed by the government had made the situation worse, he said.

The Terai is the nation’s centre for agricultural production. Most of Nepal’s agro-industry is based in major cities such as Biratnagar and Birgunj in the east and agricultural supplies mainly travel through the region.

"The indefinite blockade would certainly cause huge shortages of food, fuel supplies and medicines," said Vincent Onuga, humanitarian affairs officer with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

He said a blockade would lead to serious consequences for humanitarian assistance as there would be a complete halt to transportation, markets and services. In addition, it would paralyse the basic services provided by the government and industries and the livelihood of millions of people would be adversely affected.

nn/at/ar/mw