Nepal protesters may get their way on Home Minister sacking

The Nepalese government is making all preparations to welcome the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum for talks to resolve the ongoing movement for more political powers including a statehood for the people living in the Terai plains. This seemed to hint clearly that Home Minister K P Sitaula, whose ouster is a precondition for talks that the Forum has set, is on his way out. Sitaula is likely to tender his resignation on Monday.

According to sources in the Prime Minister’s Office, Girija Prasad Koirala has told Sitaula in no uncertain terms that retaining him in the post is beyond him. Koirala’s message to Sitaula followed Forum chief Upendra Yadav’s unequivocal demand during a meeting with the prime minister yesterday that he would not even take a second to sit down for negotiations if this condition was accepted.

The charges against Sitaula is that he not only suppressed the Madheshi movement, but also chose not to take any action against the Maoist leader who resorted to firing on Forum supporters resulting in the death of 15-year-old student Ramesh Mahato in Lahan on January 19. This had sparked off violence across Nepal.

Story continues below this ad

At least five political parties are part of the goverment alliance have endorsed the Forum’s demand, leaving Sitaula with no option.

Retaliatory action by the police, however, continued on the 15th day on Sunday with three deaths reported, taking the toll to 18. In the meantime, the government for the first time after it came to power eight months ago, instructed the army in the Raxaul-Birgunj dry port to remain vigilant for its safety as violence engulfed the area.