Govt invites Terai-based political groups to talks

KATHMANDU, Oct 5 - The government on Sunday formally called on the groups operating in Terai with political intentions to come to negotiation table.Speaking on behalf of the government, coordinator of the talks team and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma invited agitating Terai-based political groups to talks today.

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The talks team informed that the demands of the armed outfits operating in Terai will be studied and categorised into political and non-political, and then the strategies for the dialogue will be prepared.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the government will hold dialogue with the groups involved in criminal activities only after investigation and consulting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Only yesterday, over a dozen underground Terai outfits, which reportedly held discussions among themselves at an undisclosed location in the Indian state of Bihar recently, said that there was possibility of dialogue with the government if the latter pledges to make it ‘meaningful’.

"If the government fosters an environment that is favourable and pledges to make the talks meaningful, we are ready to sit for such talks," said Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) leader Bidrohi.

Winding up their meeting, outfits including Jwala Singh-led JTMM, Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha (ATMM) led by Jaya Krishna Goit, other JTMM factions led by Bibas Bidrohi and Kris, Madhesi Mukti Tigers, Virus Killers and Terai Cobra have reportedly inked a 15-point agreement on forging a working alliance. The meeting decided to form a 'Joint Armed Front' with representation of all the underground outfits.

The groups have also declared a 'ceasefire period' for Dashain from October 6 to 14.

Even as they decided to declare a truce and cease armed activities, members of underground outfits have intensified their extortion drives in the Terai districts in recent days.

As many as 14 armed groups are operating in the Terai for what they call 'liberation of Madhes’.