Nepal to form political body to resolve federal demarcation issue

Nepal's three major political parties and the United Democratic Madhesi Front reached an agreement Friday to set up a political mechanism to resolve the issue of federalism.

A meeting summoned by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his official residence decided to resolve the issue of demarcation of provincial boundaries.

The issue has been behind the unrest in southern plains of the country, which left over 50 people including police dead last year.

"The task force made up of four parties is scheduled to resolve the issue through a separate political body prior to prime minister's India visit," leaders told the media after the meeting.

Prime Minister Oli is set to pay an official visit to India starting on February 19.

The ethnic- Madhes based parties have been in agitation for nearly five months, citing reservations on seven-province federal model in the constitution that was adopted on September 20 last year.

The agitating parties formally announced end to the border blockade this week, but they have launched other forms of protests across the country.

Earlier in January, Nepal's parliament voted to amend the new constitution to address the 11-point demand raised by the Madhesi Front, an alliance of four regional parties.

Three articles of the Constitution - Article 42, Article 84 and Article 286 - were amended ensuring higher representation in government bodies on the basis of proportional inclusion of the Madhesis. Endit