Talks between Nepal's gov't, Madhes-based parties deferred

The talks between the agitating Madhes-based parties and the Nepal government scheduled for Monday has been deferred.

The meeting with the United Democratic Madhesi Front that was expected to resolve the ongoing unrest in southern plains of the country has been postponed owing to lack of enough preparation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa, who heads the government dialogue team, said in social media, "The meeting with the agitating Madhes-based parties slated for today has been postponed to do more homework."

However, the date for the next meeting has not been finalized.

Madhes-based parties have been protesting on streets across the country since more than two and half months expressing dissatisfaction over the federal demarcation in the new constitution.

The southern plains of the country dominated by the ethnic minority Madhesi people and bordering India have been paralyzed owing to their strike as the market, educational institutions and industries have remained closed.

Round of talks were held between the disgruntled parties and the government in the past but yielded no outcomes. The two sides have not held any meeting since last week after an Indian youth was killed in police firing amid protest of Madhes-based parties in Indo-Nepal border side in central city Birgunj.

Meanwhile, the Madhesi Front has been obstructing the regular House session since Sunday. They have informed that the parliamentary session would be obstructed until their demands are addressed. Enditem.