Civil society has urged the government to hold dialogues with agitating Madhesi party leaders at a time when protests that have continued for around a week have taken a violent turn following the death of an individual at Bhardaha VDC.
"Agitation is not a choice and also not a new tool for unsatisfied groups to secure their rights. Violence and destruction are common during protests, and the government should not forget its responsibilities toward society," said Badri Narayan Jha, a Mahesi civil society leader.
"People have become irate against the government as it has forgotten its primary duty to exercise patience and address the issues," he further said. "Had the state exercised patience at Bhardaha, such a violent situation would not have emerged."
Another civil society leader and retired professor Mina Thakur also urged the government to be serious and accountable toward the Madhesi people.
"Madhesi leaders are equally responsible for organizing the protests in a disciplined manner," Thakur added.
Advocate Bishnu Kumar Mandal accused the government of insincerity toward the demands of the Madhesi people. "Kathmandu needs to change its outlook toward Madhes while the agitating groups should be flexible in order to have the issues addressed in a peaceful manner," said Mandal, who is also ex-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Saptari chapter.
"The government has yet to become more serious at a time when some Madhesi parties have already given up their agenda for Madhes," said Mandal.
He further remarked that separating Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts from province number two is a betrayal of the Madhesi people who have already accepted two provinces in Madhes. "The only dispute I see is with the provincial boundaries," he added.
Different entities including academic institutions, market places, business houses and transport services have remained shut in the tarai region, including Saptari, for six consecutive days due to protests by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) against the proposed demarcation of six provinces.
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