Civil society activists have called for talks dialogue to resolve the ongoing unrest in Terai in a peaceful manner.

Issuing a joint statement after a discussion in the capital on Friday, 32 noted civil society personalities, including intellectuals from Medhesi community, called upon the government to see to the demands of Madhesi groups without bias.

They stressed that the government seriously address the demands of protesting groups including Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) for amendment in the recently promulgated interim constitution, incorporating provisions for proportional electoral system and federal system.

They also asked the MJF to form talks teams in the context of the government’s announcement that it is ready for talks to resolve the unrest in Terai.

MJF chairman Upendra Yadav and Madhesi intellectuals also participated in the discussion jointly organised by the Human Rights Joint Forum and Madhesh Study and Development Society Nepal.

Those signing the joint appeal included Dr Sundar Mani Dixit, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Charan Prasain, Prof Dr. Birendra Kumar Mishra, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri and former Nepal Bar Association president Shambhu Thapa.