Nepal protests: Committee set up to hold talks with protesters

Nepal's three major political parties today formed a committee to hold talks with agitating groups opposing the new Constitution to address the demands of the people living in Terai plains bordering India.
The three parties -- Nepal Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN- Maoist -- formed a three-member committee to hold dialogue with the parties and groups agitating against the new Constitution.
Nepali Congress leader and Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya and CPN-UML Chief whip Agni Kharel were named in the committee. The third member was to be named later from the UCPN (Maoist) party.
The committee was formed at a meeting of senior leaders at Prime Minister's office in Baluwatar.

CPN-UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal was quoted by the Kathmandu Post as saying that the committee was formed to gather further details about the reservations expressed by the agitating groups and parties regarding the Constitution and address them.
"We have not been able to identify the demands or the problems they have with the new Constitution. This committee will address those reservations," he said.

Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba hoped the committee will fulfil its mandate of holding talks and resolving the current volatile situation of the country.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Army said its personnel mobilised to riot-hit areas in southern Nepal districts at the request of the local administration have returned to the barracks.

The agitating Madhesi Front claims that the Constitution does not guarantee enough rights and representation to the Madhesi and Tharu communities residing in southern Nepal.
Madhesis are Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai plains bordering India.
At least 40 people have died in over a month of clashes between police and protesters from the Madhesi and Tharu communities and ethnic minorities who say the new internal borders leave them under-represented in the country's Parliament.
Last week, India had asked Nepal to address the underlying causes of the continuing unrest "credibly and effectively".