A meeting of the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) on Monday formed the talks team comprised of Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya, CPN-UML chief whip Agni Kharel and UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.On Monday itself, the talks team separately met with Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar.
During the talks both the leaders demanded that the army be withdrawn from riot zone, compensation be provided to the families of those killed in the recent Tarai protests, declaration of those killed as martyrs, free treatment for the injured and withdrawal of cases filed against the Madhesi parties' cadres arrested in the course of the protests. Also, the Madhesi leaders demanded that their concerns related to delineation of provinces be addressed properly.
The talks team informed the Madhesi leaders that the army has pulled out from riot zones, compensation for the dead has already been announced, and the injured are being treated at various hospitals. The team informed the Madhesi leaders that they will discuss the remaining issues Tuesday.
The govenrment decision to announce the talks team comes at a time when the agitating Madhes-based parties have been trying to create obstruction at various customs points as part of their agitation. Likewise, the Indian authorities have been stopping vehicles carrying petroleum products and other daily essentials on the Indian side of the border.
According to UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, the three-party meeting has also decided to start diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing Indian blockade. The meeting concluded that there has been less than adequate official and unofficial efforts in New Delhi for resolving the ongoing standoff between Nepal and India.
Shrestha, who is also a former foreign minister, said the meeting has also decided to step up talks with international community and the United Nations on India's move to take away transit rights of landlocked Nepal. "The question now is whether India can unilaterally breach the agreement reached with Nepal," he said while arguing that the latest move of Indian authorities goes against agreement between Nepal and India.
The 'unofficial' blockade has caused acute shortage of petroleum products and other daily essentials across the country, prompting a section of youths to stage anti-Indian protests in different parts of the country.
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