85 held in Nepal for trying to enforce Madhesi-led strike

Eighty-five people have been arrested in Nepal for allegedly trying to enforce a strike called by the Madhesis today to protest the killing of four cadres in police firing in Saptarai district, bordering India.
Though the impact of the strike by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has been minimal in the Kathmandu Valley, educational institutions remained shut.
Markets remained by and large open in the Kathmandu Valley and traffic was near normal.
Police have arrested 85 people here for trying to enforce the strike. Security was stepped up in view of the protest.
No incidents of demonstration were reported, police said.

Four young Madhesi activists were killed when police opened fire to disperse a crowd which had encircled the venue of a public meeting of the main opposition party CPN-UML in Saptari district on Monday.

Chief District Officer Baldev Gautam said the police resorted to firing after they failed to control the Madhesis. They earlier baton charged them and fired tear gas shells.
The UDMF has demanded that the victims be declared martyrs and compensation be given to their families.
Madhesis have been staging protests by burning tyres at various parts of the Birgunj in Parsa districts as well.
A large number of security personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents in the region.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had launched a prolonged agitation between September 2015 and February last year against the implementation of the new Constitution which they felt marginalised the Terai community.
The protest had resulted in the death of at least 50 people.