BIRGUNJ, Dec 1 : As protests in Madhes stretches, the number of protesters joining sit-ins at Nepal-India border point of Birgunj is seeing a decline of late. There are fewer demonstrators and cadres at the border in the morning while their number gradually increases in the afternoon and evening.
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On Tuesday morning, there were 35 to 40 protesters, mostly the cadres and leaders of the UDMF. Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) central member Bachha Prasad Yadav told Republica that most of their supporters leave early morning for routine works.
Still, cadres and leaders of United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) stage protest at the Nepal-India Friendship Bridge of Birgunj each day. Hundreds of people gather at the border for the protests in the afternoon and evening, according to UDMF leader Yadav.Agitating UDMF cadres and leaders have been creating border blockage for the last 69 days to protest the country's new constitution.
FSFN leader Yadav informed that protesters, after attending to their early morning routine works, gather between 10am and 11am again and eat food at the canteen started by the UDMF in Raxaul.
However, the number of locals gathering from villages for the border protest has come down as they are busy harvesting paddy and sowing wheats and other seasonal crops, another FSFN leader and former state minister Karima Begam said. “UDMF itself has started the canteen in Raxaul, India. Individuals supporting the movement also work at the canteen to manage food for the protesters,” she claimed.
Sonalal Sah, a worker at the canteen, said that a maximum of 2,000 people eat food per day at the canteen at Raxaul, India.
