[The
speakers also accused the three parties and the Morcha of maintaining double
standard by supporting the ethnic groups on the one hand and siding with the
demands of Bahun-Chhetri Samaj on the other. They threatened to retaliate
against the ongoing assault on Tharu and other ethnic communities from
anti-federalist cadres.]
 |
Participants of a rally’
organised by Indigenous Nationalities
Joint Struggle Committee whistle
during a protest to pressurise
the political parties and
Constituent Assembly for an identity-based
federalism at New Baneshwor in
the Capital on Wednesday.
Image : Kiran Panday /eKantipur |
Three major
parties and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) on Tuesday had agreed
to federate the country into 11 states.
In a press
meeting organised by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN),
they announced to launch Kathmandu-centered protests against what they
called anti-federal decision. The group has scheduled a series of
valley-oriented protests be led by Tamang and Newar communities until their
demands are met.
The speakers
blamed the political top brass for deciding on the 11-state model without
discussing among parties, experts and ethnic communities.
NEFIN cited
three instances of deception in Tuesday's understanding--agreement on less than
14 states approved by the State Restructuring Committee of the Constituent
Assembly, decision to demarcate provinces later, and naming of the states only
after their delineation.
The speakers
also accused the three parties and the Morcha of maintaining double standard by
supporting the ethnic groups on the one hand and siding with the demands of
Bahun-Chhetri Samaj on the other. They threatened to retaliate against the
ongoing assault on Tharu and other ethnic communities from anti-federalist
cadres.
“The government,
police force and members of the political parties have been assisting
anti-federal elements to suppress the peaceful protests of Tharu and other
ethnic communities. Ethnic communities will not tolerate it. We will carry out
nationwide protests until our demands are met,” said NEFIN Chairman Raj Kumar
Lekhi.
Echoing
Lekhi, Om Gurung said revolution was inevitable. He said it was a model taken
out of some leaders' pockets. “Some sections are continually spreading illusion
about the demand of ethnic groups as anti Bahun and Chhetris,” said Gurung,
adding that they were not against any communities but were demonstrating for
their identity.
Krishna
Bhattachan said the latest decision was an outcome of Brahmin-oriented mindset.
He expressed fear that the intra-community violence might act like forest fire
and destroy all.
“If the top
parties fail to address the demands of ethnic communities, the leaders should
be ready to face adverse consequences,” said Bhattachan.
The speakers
opined that the demonstration of ethnic communities have normally been
“reactive” rather than “proactive”. They said that they have resolved all
internal disputes to begin a fresh stir.
When questioned
about the position of leaders affiliated with the major parties, the speakers
claimed that they wo
[Indian currency had reached as low as IRs 54.15 against a US dollar on Tuesday morning, which is the second lowest since the Indian currency plummeted to a record low at IRs 54.30. Indian media have blamed worsening global risk environment and concerns about India
The fall of the
rupee against the dollar is mainly due to the sharp devaluation of the Indian
currency, with which the domestic currency is pegged. Although the Indian
currency almost touched a little less than its record low value against the
dollar, the NRB fixed the record low value of domestic currency against the
dollar.
A senior NRB
official said that there is a little chance of deviation while fixing value of
the Nepali currency against dollar compared to the Indian currency value
against the greenback. “We determine the value of Nepali currency against
dollar on the basis of the value of Indian currenty at around 11am every day,” said the central bank official. “That’s why
there remains a little chance of marginal deviation.”
Indian currency
had reached as low as IRs 54.15 against a US dollar on Tuesday morning, which
is the second lowest since the Indian currency plummeted to a record low at IRs
54.30. Indian media have blamed worsening global risk environment and
concerns about India
NRB officials
say that the depreciation of domestic currency is good for the export but it
will increase the cost of third-country imports as more domestic currency is
required to support import bills. Importers are also hesitant to make decision
on import due to strengthening of the dollar against the Nepali currency.
An importer
dealing with electronics said that he is facing difficulty making a decision as
importing electronics at high cost may not be wise given the intense
competition in the market. “Those who have stocks of materials imported at
cheaper rate may attract more customers while those paying high have to
suffer,” said the trader.
With imports
from third countries accounting for around 33 percent of the total imports, the
economy may face inflationary pressure. Nepal India India
However, the
rising number of migrant workers are likely to send more remittance when the
Nepali currency is weak.
The weakening
rupee also means the Nepal Electricity Authority will have to pay more for
electricity from Bhotekeshi and Khimti hydropower projects, both of whom have
power purchase agreements in dollars. Nepal
[The shutdown has caused a huge loss to the business and industrial sector in Chitwan. The Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the district is suffering a daily loss of over Rs 60 million. The tourism industry in Chitwan has also been hit.]
KATHMANDU,
MAY 16 - A shutdown called by the Tharuhat Struggle Committee in various Tarai
districts continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, making life
difficult for the general public.
A man in need of
immediate medical attention died in a bus that was stopped by Tharuhat
activists in Sunsari on Wednesday. The man has been identified as 62-year-old
Gambhirman Nepali of Taplejung.
Banda supporters
stopped more than 50 buses headed for various eastern districts on the Jhumka
stretch of the East-West
Highway
The Tharu banda
was also felt in other districts like Chitwan, Rupandehi, Banke and
Nawalparasi.
Supporters of
the Tharuhat Struggle Committee set three vehicles on fire along the
Butwal-Narayangad section of the East-West Highway
The shutdown has
caused a huge loss to the business and industrial sector in Chitwan. The
Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the district is suffering a daily
loss of over Rs 60 million. The tourism industry in Chitwan has also been hit.
Similarly, Banke
district is incurring a daily revenue loss of Rs 8 million. Owing to the banda,
dozens of trucks carrying imported goods to Nepal
@ Ekantipur
@ Ekantipur