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Nepal's Madhesi parties to continue protests even after amendment to new Constitution

Xinhua, January 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nepal's agitating Madhesi parties said Monday that they would continue protests against the new Constitution, noting that the first amendment to the national charter failed to address their core demands.

An alliance of the Madhesi fringe parties, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), concluded a meeting Monday in Kathmandu and said in a press release that the first amendment to the new constitution was "incomplete".

Manish Suman, a leader of agitating Sadhabhawana Party, told local media that the amendment was passed forcibly despite their opposition in the House session.

"We reject the changes made in the Constitution and will continue with our protests. We will be holding mass demonstrations in major parts of Terai within next few days," Suman told the media.

Nepali parliament on Saturday night voted to amend the country's new constitution after its promulgation four months ago. Three articles of the Constitution -- Article 42, Article 84 and Article 286 -- were amended aimed at addressing 11-point demands raised by the Madhesi parties.

The 601-member parliament voted 461-7 late on Saturday in favor of a provision of "proportionate inclusion" of Madhesi groups in all state bodies, and to carve out electoral constituencies on the basis of their population to increase their representation in the Legislature- Parliament. Remaining lawmakers either did not take part in the voting or walked out during the House session.

In an effort to resolve the prevailing unrest in the Terai region, Nepal's major political parties tabled a bill a month ago to amend the constitution and increase the Madhesi presence in the state bodies through proportional representation.

Over 50 people including 10 police personnel have been killed in violent protests in the Terai region of Nepal bordering India since the Madhesi parties launched demonstrations against the Constitution adopted by the country's Constituent Assembly on Sept. 20 last year. Endit