No encroachment in Susta: NSP chief Mahato

Kathmandu, Jan 9: Chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato has said there was no alleged encroachment by India at the Himalayan nation's Susta region.

''I don't think there is encroachment at Susta,'' Kantipur quoted him as saying. He said the protests against the alleged encroachment were being engineered by the seven political parties to detach the Madhesi people from the Madhesi movement. ''This is just a political ploy of the seven parties to detach the Madhesi people from the ongoing Madhesi movement,'' he said. ''Raising a 100-year-old issue at this moment is simply a result of prejudiced mentality,'' Mr Mahato added.

He pointed out that the agitation holds no ground as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has already assured to raise the matter with his Indian counterpart, Dr Manmohan Singh.

UNI