Nepal: Situation in Terai worsens, curfew in 4 dist

Kathmandu, Jan 26: The situation across various parts of the Terai region worsened today, despite the Madhesi People's Rights Forum's (MPRF) commitment for dialogue with the Nepal government after an appeal by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The local administrations in Siraha, Janakpur, Birgunj and Biratnagar imposed curfews to prevent any untoward incidents in the wake of increasing unrest across the region.

Welcoming the Prime Minister's appeal for talks, the MPRF in a statement issued today said, ''It considers the appeal a positive step but would continue with non-violence and peaceful protests.'' The local administrations clamped curfews after the MPRF activists began to vandalise public properties.

The MPRF activists vandalised the vehicle of assistant chief district officer of Sunsari Mohan Prasad Sharma, who was returning to his residence from his office this morning. The activists also attempted to torch his vehicle.

The activists padlocked at least a dozen government offices.

In Birgunj, the administration imposed a curfew from 1330 to 2200 hrs local time.

According to Kantipur, minor scuffle erupted between the MPRF activists and police in Birgunj this afternoon.

The activists vandalised several hotels, shops, government offices and public houses from Ghantaghar to Revenue Office in the town.

Four MPRF activists and a policeman were injured during the scuffle.

The MPRF activists carried out their activities that were against the forum's president's statement.

Four people have already died in the growing unrest in Lahan.

The government had officially invited the agitating MPRF for table talks to defuse the growing tension at Lahan in Siraha district yesterday.

In a tea party hosted by Mr Koirala yesterday, the PM had iterated that dialogue can resolve the unrest in the Terai region.

In Biratnagar, the district administration has clamped a six-hour curfew (from 1600 hrs to 2200hrs) local time, Kantipur said.

A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the town but the activists continue to stage demonstrations.

The forum's call for indefinite bandh disrupted life in Bara, Biratnagar as well.

In Janakpur at least two dozen demonstrators were injured, four seriously, when riot police opened fire as protesters and policemen faced off during a MPRF demonstration.

The protesters vandalised three government offices and a local hotel while torching three vehicles.

The local administration announced the curfew order from 0010hrs to 1700hrs local time taking into account the degrading security situation.

Police fired many rounds of teargas shells and fired into the air to check the demonstration.

While chanting slogans against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda, the demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

UNI

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