A day after UDMF cadres vandalized influential Madhesi NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi's house in Janakpur, both sides have prepared for the show of strength in the city.
Separate meetings of both sides on Tuesday decided to bring as much as possible cadres in the city from each sides, informed their leaders. As NC leader Nidhi plans to visit Janakpur to attend area convention of the party on Wednesday, agitating parties are preparing to obstruct the event.
Eight constituent parties under the agitating UDMF and Federal Inclusive Madhesi Alliance as well as Joint Youth Struggle Committee, Madhes Right Struggle Committee and National Muslim Struggle Alliance among other groups have instructed their cadres to gather at Janak Chowk with sticks. They have announced to lead a rally to picket the airport.
On the other side, NC district committee on Tuesday, instructed all party cadres from constituencies three and four to welcome Nidhi. "We are not in a mood to confront with the agitating parties," NC District President Ram Saroj Yadav said. "But if they attack us, we would retaliate to save ourselves."
District Coordinator of the UDMF, Sanjay Singh, said that they have cautioned the NC and local administration about possible confrontation. "We have been urging lawmakers, who signed in the new constitution, not to enter Madhes without solving the Madhesh problem," he said. "We hope the local administration will convince Nidhi on this issue."
He further warned of grave consequences if Nidhi ignored their cautions. Three persons had died in Rangeli of Morang a few weeks ago as police opened fire to stop clashes between the cadres of the ruling CPN-UML and agitating UDMF.
After both the NC and the agitating parties stuck to their guns, hinting of a possible confrontation, Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Thapaliya has convened emergency meeting of security committee on Tuesday evening.
Related story
We will show the power of the people: Oli
