43rd day – Situation Update
Today marks 43rd day of Madhes movement III
Madhesi front’s blockade at Indo-Nepal border checkpoints on 4th day
Today is the fourth consecutive day of Indo-Nepal border blockade created by cadres of agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) in Indo-Nepal border points in different districts of the Tarai region.
After their 39-day-long protests failed to press the government for addressing their demands, they have resorted to stage sit-in protest in the Indo-Nepal border areas so that imports from from India and other countries can be obstructed to the capital and their voices will be heard.
Following the blockade by Madhesi front, the impacts of the blockade are seen not only in Kathmandu, but different parts of the country especially with the shortage of petroleum products. Looking at the situation, the government of Nepal has introduced odd-even system of transportation services in the country.
However, major political parties are reportedly alleging India for creating such a blockade of imports in Nepal. There is also fear among the political analysts and civil society leaders that the blame game may sideline the Madhesi’s genuine demands.
Senior Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s resigning the party on Saturday and willingness to join the Madhesi protests have once again boosted hopes among agitating communities to get their demands fulfilled.
Madhesi front cadres attack over passenger-buses defying strike, dozens injured
The UDMF cadres of Saptari district attacked passenger buses defying their strike at Bhardaha VDC along the East-West Highway. Over three dozen passengers were injured after the protesters pelted stones and vandalized the vehicles which were being escorted by the police. Condition of three among the injured is critical, and they were rushed to Biratnagar for treatment.
Police arrested three protesters in connection with the incident from Bhardah, where two people were already killed in police firing during demonstration.
Normal life across Terai region has remained adversely affected as the protests by Madhesi parties have continued for the last 43 days. Different units including the government offices, educational institutes, banks, shops, and market places remained closed due to the banda.
Arrested TMDP leaders sent to jail
Two leaders of Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) — Jitendra Sonal and Nawalkishor Singh — who were arrested earlier on charge of vandalism and torching a truck during the demonstrations, have been sent to jail in Bara on Sunday after they refused to pay a bail amount of Rs 149,000 that local administration had sought from the arrested. Sonal is the general secretary and Singh is TMDP, Bara chair,
School organize mourning ceremony of student killed during protest in Mahottari
Students and teachers of Shishugyan Nikunja Bording School situated in Jaleshwar, district headquarters of Mahottari, organized a program to mourn the death of Rohan Chaudhary, 17, in the school premises. Roshan, a tenth grader of the school, was killed in police firing during the protest on September 9.
Photo: Kathmandu Post
