Unrest along Indo-Nepal border continues; Madhesi protesters allegedly

The protestors had reportedly blocked the Maitri bridge when the cops allegedly used batons on them to disperse the agitators.

Raxaul: Protestors from the Madhesi community on Monday clashed with the security forces as they blocked the India-Nepal border at Raxaul in protest. This includes Nepal Oil Corporation trucks that carry fuel to Kathmandu and other places from the Indian Oil Depot at Raxaul.

The alliance has been staging protests in various parts of southern Nepal against the seven-province model of the newly-promulgated Constitution for more then two months.

However, no vehicle ferrying fuel entered Nepal via Jhapa’s Kakarbhitta border point on Sunday.

At least 45 people have been killed in the protests since August. There is no official count of the injured. A few 170 freight trucks entered into India from Nepal after the border was opened, The Kathmandu Post reported.

However, India says it has nothing to do with blockade and it is up to Nepal to find a solution, adding the Indian truckers are concerned about their safety in Nepal.

Bogati said police were on alert and would stop any attempt to block the trucks.

What was dubbed as “the decisive talks” between representatives of the government and the Madhesi Front on Sunday failed to make headway.

Following the one-day talks, Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa said the government would address the Madhesi’s main demand of a bigger state than was assigned to them in the new constitution through discussions with other political parties.

The government also agreed to the United Democratic Madhesi Front’s demands that families of killed protesters be given monetary compensation, that the government pay for medical care for the injured, and that cases against the jailed be withdrawn.