Instead, the struggle committee has written to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala urging him to address their seven-point demand put forward on Saturday. Refusing to accept any conditions for talks, the government had called the agitating groups to come to the table in order to find solutions to all kinds of issues.
However, the struggle committee has sought written commitment from the government to address their demands to create an environment for dialogue. "Struggle committee is frustrated as the government has not been paying any attention to the seven-point conditions, that would pave the way for a fruitful dialogue," reads the letter submitted to the PM Koirala.
Lawmakers Janakraj Chaudhari, Amanlal Modi and Santa Kumar Tharu-led team had submitted the letter to the PM at the latter's official residence in Baluatar on Monday. Prime Minister Koirala in response said that government would be able to address their conditions only through dialogue. "The conditions put forward by the struggle committee needs to be discussed," said spokesperson of the joint struggle committee Aman Lal Modi quoting PM Koirala.
Koirala also urged the agitating Tharu lawmakers to maintain restraint as the country is close to institutionalizing the changes brought by past movements, said his press coordinator Prakash Adhikari.
According to lawmaker Modi, agitating struggle committee has demanded release of protesters under police detention, withdrawal of curfew and army mobilization, among others. "The government is trying to suppress peaceful protest of Tharu community," he said. "Dialogue is not possible at such an uncomfortable situation."
The struggle committee has also warned of intensifying their protests further if the government keeps arresting the protesters and filing case against them.
Within a decade, first Tharu museum in ruins