Nepal's Madhesi Front slammed for announcing cash incentives

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam today described as "unthinkable" the recent announcement of Madhesi parties to provide Rs 5 million and a job to the families' of protesters who were killed for demanding greater rights for Madhesi people in the country's new constitution.
Gautam slammed the joint Madhesi Front, an alliance of four Madhesi parties which launched the agitation, for making the announcement for four slain Terai protesters, saying such decision is against International law and practice.
"Ordinary people cannot be lured for martyrdom for the sake of certain amount of money, which is unthinkable in a democratic setup," Gautam said.

The decision has drawn attention of the government seriously and urged the Parliament to take action, he said while presenting a copy of the announcement as proof before the Parliament.
Leaders of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP), Sadbhavana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party had made the announcement on Wednesday that "the provincial government that would be formed through the movement would provide Rs 5 million each to the victims' family as well as job and education guarantee."
Speaker Subas Nembang has directed the State Affairs Committee (SAC) of parliament to investigate into the statement of Madhesi parties.

Meanwwhile, life in Terai districts of southern Nepal has been hit hard due to indefinite shut down with most of the markets remaining closed and vehicles off the roads.

Madhesi parties have rejected the six province federal model presented by the four major parties, paving way for drafting a new constitution.
They are demanding two federal provinces in the southern plains from east to the west and rejected the idea of mixing the territories of Terai with the hilly areas in the federal structure.
They are also demanding greater rights and representation in the constitution for the Madhesis and other marginalised people.