Tamsaling Joint Struggle Committee and the government have signed a 19-point agreement to address the demands raised by Tamang community, Saturday evening.

The struggle committee has called off the ‘bandh’ it called in Kathmandu valley and surrounding ten districts for Sunday, as part of the agreement. It has also withdrawn all other protest programmes announced by the community.

Talks were held in the peace ministry Saturday after the struggle committee announced various protest programmes. Peace and Reconstruction Minister Janardan Sharma represented the government, while Surya Man Dong, Bir Bahadur Lama Tamang, Dil Man Pakhrin Tamang, Parashuram Tamang, and Kaman Singh Lama, among others represented the Tamang community.

The government has agreed to seek consensus about the demands of Tamang community to amend the constitution for removing cow from the national emblem. This demand will be forwarded to the Constituent Assembly for contemplation.

The government will also contemplate on renaming historical places in indigenous languages.

Among other points agreed during the talks, the government will bring a policy to protect the cultures of all castes and end all caste-based discriminations, will end all discriminatory provisions in Nepal Army, the state restructuring commission will also be represented by underprivileged castes, a model development programme to uplift and develop all communities, including Tamangs, will be launched from next fiscal year and also introduce special employment programme package for backward classes.

A task force will be formed for the follow up on the implementation of the agreements.

Meanwhile, cadres of the Tamsaling Joint Struggle Committee organised torch rallies in various towns of Sindhupalchowk, Saturday evening demanding for ethnic autonomy. nepalnews.com Apr 12 09