Thapa warns of 'anarchy' if Constitution changed forcibly

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa today warned that the attempt by Madhesi leaders to force changes in the new Constitution through agitation would lead to "anarchy" and plunge the nation into a serious crisis.
Thapa, who is also the foreign minister, however, said that the government and the three main political parties were ready to address the demands raised by the United Democratic Madhesi Front.
He urged the Front not to stretch the agitation causing suffering to the public.
Madhesis, who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, have imposed a general strike in much of southern Nepal, causing a shortage of fuel and other essential goods.

Addressing a programme, 'Nepal's Constitution People's Constitution, People's Constitution in Midst of People', he said that the continuing agitation in the southern plains by Madhesis would engender "anarchy" and plunge the nation into a "serious crisis."
Yesterday, three major political parties and Madhesi front decided to form a task force to find a common ground on the demands put forth by the agitating group following a meeting at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's official residence here.

After the meeting, Nepali Congress general secretary Prakash Man Singh said the parties involved in the talks decided to form the task force to discuss the 11-point demands submitted by the Madhesi parties.

The demands include re-demarcation of provinces, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.
Life in southern plains have been seriously affected by the protests over Nepal's new Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly on September 20.
So far, more than 50 people have died in the Madhesi-Tharu agitation.
At the programme today, Parliamentary Development Committee chairman Rabindra Adhikari appealed to all political parties to be alert to any conspiracy that may disintegrate or weaken the country.
While lawmaker Sharada Poudel called on Madhesi parties to not cause suffering to the people by their continuing agitation, Madhesi lawmaker Sita Giri insisted on ending the atmosphere of enmity through promoting friendly attitude.