Terai problem will be solved: Mahantha Thakur

Kathmandu, Feb 3: Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Coordinator of the newly formed committe, for holding talks with the Madhesi groups has said Terai problem would be solved through dialogue and negotiations.

''The government is ready to hold talks with the agitating sides on all of their demands'', he said, adding, ''The government is committed to unconditional negotiations.'' Various organisations of Terai have launched violent demonstration demanding more autonomy in the region.

Mr Thakur's team has been given full mandate to hold talks on all the Terai demands, including proportionate elections, federal structure and redrawing of electoral constituencies based on size of the population.

''I am confident that we will be able to hammer out solutions through talks,'' he said.

He said he would soon meet with the Madhesi groups and Madhesi People's Rights Forum as well as two groups of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha including breakaway factions of the CPN (Maoist), and seek solution through mutual understanding.

''The government has already expressed its commitment to proportionate elections and a federal structure, and we will address other agendas as well,'' he said.

He clarified the government would not mobilise the army to quell the violence.

UNI

Related Stories