The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has decided to resume its indefinite general strike across Terai region beginning Tuesday.

Home Minister Krishna Sitaula.

Home Minister Krishna Sitaula. (File Photo)
The MJF had suspended its agitation in Terai following the address by the Prime Minister on February 7. They had vowed to resume it in case the government did not create environment for talks by removing Home Minister Krishna Sitaula.

In his address Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had met their demands of guaranteeing federal restructuring of the state; holding the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections on mixed-proportional basis; and increasing the number of electoral constituencies in Madhes based on increased population, among others.

The MJF, on the other hand, had demanded full-fledged proportional electoral system; population-based reconstitution of constituencies and recognition to autonomous Madhes region.

Following the PM’s address, the MJF had halted its strike saying it was willing to negotiate with the government. However, its pre-condition of sacking Sitaula and forming an independent panel to investigate atrocities during Terai agitation were not fulfilled by the government. Twenty-nine persons were killed during the three-week-long agitation in the region.

Addressing a press meet in Biratnagar on Monday, Morang district chief of MJF Surya Nath Prasad Singh said that the strikes will resume as the government was indifferent towards their demands. Singh called for immediate declaration of democratic federal republic and single autonomous Madhes region.

Call to defy bandh

Upendra_Yadav

Upendra Yadav (File Photo)
Meanwhile, six transport entrepreneurs’ associations have vowed to defy the call of indefinite strike saying it would incur direct losses to them and the general public. Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs’ National Federation, Nepal Truck Tanker and Transit Entrepreneurs Federation; Nepal Transport Independent Workers Organisation, Nepal Transport Workers Assembly, Nepal Transport Workers Association and All Nepal Transport Workers Associations held a joint press meeting vowing to defy the bandh call. They have asked the agitators to find alternative to bandh.

On the other hand, the trade unions affiliated with Nepali Congress, UML, People’s Front and the Maoists have also vowed to defy general strike called by the MJF in Terai. They have formed a steering committee to ensure that factories continue to operate. They also declared to defy bandhs called by any party or organisation in the coming days.

Furthermore, business community active in Sunsari-Morang corridor have warned that they would stop paying revenues to the government if the latter fails to create smooth environment for operation of business activities. At a press meet on Monday, the president of Morang Trade Association Ashok Murarka said they will not pay revenues, bank interests, installments and electricity/telephone bills beginning Tuesday. According to the association, each day of bandh results in losses of Rs 100 million. He said 580 factories in the corridor have already shut down due to strikes.