Protests against service centers continue in Tarai

JANAKPUR/BARA, Feb 1: Protests are continuing in several districts in central Tarai against a government decision to set up Integrated Administrative Service Centers. The centers are being set up to provide government services to people without hassles.



The condition of three persons including a lawmaker who are on a hunger strike against the government decision is getting worse. Even the armed Tarai group called Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha led by Jaya Krishna Goit has supported the protest.



Protests are continuing in Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi and Rautahat among other districts.



As a fast-unto-death strike by Tarai Madhes Democratic Party lawmaker Ganesh Nepali and Nepali Congress members Suresh Pandey and Baiju Mandal entered a fifth day on Sunday, their condition has become serious. “They have not even taken water so they are suffering from dehydration,” said Dr Abadhesh Kumar Mishra, medical superintendent at Mahottari District Hospital.



Demonstrators padlocked main entrance of Bara District Administration Office in Kalaiya for a time Sunday. Police broke the lock after the demonstrators left the office premises and marched toward other parts of Kalaiya town. As the demonstration was huge with participation of villagers from surrounding areas, Kalaiya remained tense throughout the day.



The protest is launched by Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party and also backed by Nepali Congress. ”The consequences will be serious if the government does not rolls back the decision to set up the centre,” said Bikash, the Mahottari district chief of ATTM, in a statement.



Though the ministers have already decided to withdraw the decision, demonstrations are still continuing as the official announcement has yet to come.

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