In Nepal, Madhesis refuse to relent

The Madhesi community, which has been agitating against the newly-adopted Constitution of Nepal, on Tuesday said that they will continue with their protest till the government addresses their issues and the agenda of giving equal rights and representation to their community.

The agitating Madhesis claim that the Constitution does not guarantee enough rights and representation to them and Tharu communities residing in southern Nepal.

"Our agitation will continue till the government addresses our issues. The constitution does not guarantee enough rights and representation to the Madhesis. Our demands and agenda should be fulfilled. The Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha has decided to continue their agitation in Nepal against the Constitution," Shiv Chandra Kushwaha of Sadbhavna Party told ANI here.

At least 40 people have died in over month-long clashes between police and protesters of the Madhesi and Tharu communities and ethnic minorities, who say the new internal borders leave them under-represented in the country's Parliament.

Meanwhile, Madhesi Muslims held prayers at no man's land on the Indo-Nepal border in support of agitation against the new constitution of Nepal. Doctors and paramedical staff also joined the agitation as a result healthcare services were affected.

Madhesis are India-origin inhabitants of the Terai region bordering India, who are also opposed to splitting Nepal into seven provinces.