Protesters end strike as Nepal PM concedes demands

KATHMANDU, Feb 8 (Reuters) Nepal's Madhesi leaders called off transport and business strikes today in the restive southern plains after the prime minister vowed to increase electoral seats for the ethnic group in constituent assembly elections.

At least 21 people have died in a month of clashes between police and protesters in Terai, a fertile region in Nepal that is home to Madhesis who say they have been sidelined in a peace deal last year between the government and Maoist rebels.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala addressed the nation yesterday and promised more representation for Madhesis in elections this year aimed at finally ending a decade-old conflict with Maoists in which more than 13,000 people died.

''This is the first positive step towards resolving the problems of the Madhesi people,'' said Upendra Yadav, chief of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, which has been organizing the protests.

The protests were sparked off in January when a Maoist activist shot dead a Madhesi protester.

Yadav warned that peaceful protests would continue.

''Significant issues like regional autonomy within the federal state and a proportional electoral system have not been addressed yet,'' Yadav told Reuters.

''We will call off transport and business strikes but will continue peaceful protests to press for our demands,'' he said.

Police said a day curfew had been imposed in the southeastern town of Biratnagar where two Madhesi protesters were killed and dozens injured in police firing yesterday.

REUTERS SSC PM1758