Bhadrapur, June 7:The CPN-UML, CPN-ML and RPP in Jhapa district, which have been complaining that voters identity cards are being distributed in the district counter to the criteria laid down by the Election Commission, organised a joint press meet here yesterday.

An all party meeting held under the chairmanship of CDO Dilli Raj Joshi prior to distribution of the voter identity cards in accordance with HMG policy, had outlined a consensus.

Under the consensus the identity cards are to be issued on the basis of citizenship certificates, land ownership certificates, certificates of academic qualifications and land tenancy certificates subject to verification against the voters lists and disputes arising in this connection are to be settled through an all party meeting convened under the chairmanship of the ward chairman concerned.

All the three parties have been protesting since the beginning that voter identity cards are being issued solely on the basis of the voters list of 2054 BS.

They called for a general strike in Jhapa on Monday.

Some 11 persons were injured and 72 others sustained minor injuries when police resorted to tear gas use, a baton charge and firing in the air at a protest demonstration at Dhulabari, Jhapa on June 3, CPN-UML Jhapa district secretary Devendra Dahal informed the press meet.

Dahal, RPP joint secretary Ram Lochan Nyupane and CPN-ML secretary Naresh Kharel said that all three parties would start a protest campaign if the distribution of voter identity cards to non-nationals is not stopped.

Voter identity cards have been issued in Jhapa constituency No 1, 3 and 6 since April 26.