A UDMF meeting held in Kathmandu Monday decided to end obstructions at the border points, general strikes and the shutting down of government offices for now while giving continuity for other forms of protest.
Local traders and villagers on the Indian side of the Birgunj border point on Friday removed the barriers erected by the protestors and helped with the resumption of vehicular movement following the months-long blockade there.
The traders and other locals had chased away a group of Madhesi protestors when the latter tried to obstruct vehicular movements again.
Though vehicular movement had resumed through other border checkpoints, Madhesi protestors had continued obstructions at the Birgunj entry point until Friday. The country is still undergoing an acute fuel shortage as over 70 percent of imports come via the Birgunj-Raxaul checkpoint.
"While reviewing all the weaknesses and mistakes committed by the Front and correcting them in the days to come, the protests will be further intensified in the Tarai-Madhes-Tharuhat areas after making adequate preparations," reads a statement issued by the leaders on behalf of the constituent parties of the UDMF.
Upendra Yadav, chairman of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, Mahantha Thakur, chairman of Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party, and Mahendra Raya Yadav, chairman of Tarai-Madhesh Sadbhavana Party-Nepal, have signed the statement while Rajendra Mahato, chairman of Sadbhavana Party, has refused to do so.
Mahato, who was previously the most rigid against the government proposal for resolving disputes through negotiations, last week announced withdrawal of the border protests.
His announcement ahead of UDMF's formal decision has irked leaders from the other constituent parties.
The meeting on Monday has warned Mahato not to repeat such acts in the days to come.
"As recent remarks made by SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato while the protests were still in place caused huge damage to the movement, the Front directs him not to repeat such acts in the days to come," reads the statement.
With the Front issuing its warning against Mahato and the latter refusing to sign the statement, the Front has become sharply divided over the question of ending the blockade.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has welcomed the UMDF's decision to withdraw the protests.
"I have taken today's decision made by the United Democratic Madhesi Front positively. I welcome this decision," the prime minister announced on his twitter handle later in the day.
Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa has welcomed the UDMF decision. "I heartily welcome it," he wrote on twitter.
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