Nepal should resolve Terai issue fast

Paul Soren

Nepal’s peace process advanced rapidly with signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by the government and Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) in November 2006. The government has also promised to hold Constituent Assembly (CA) elections by mid-June 2007. This process, however, has been seriously interrupted by the Terai uprising on Madhesh issues, which has shown the potential of derailing the peace process and delaying the constituent assembly elections.

Nepal’s continuing transition from a despotic royal regime to a democratic system has been challenging. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), a Terai based group has been agitating and calling for strikes, claiming that the interim constitution does not address the problems of the Madhesi people. They have been demanding the restructuring of the state on federal lines; adopt proportional electoral system and delimitation of election constituencies on basis of population ratio and geographical conditions. Two other armed groups, the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), one faction led by JayKrishna Goit and another by Jwala Singh, are continuing violent activities, demanding declaration of an independent Terai state and threatening to withhold the CA elections. Both the JTMM factions are splinter groups of the Maoists. In the wake of Terai agitation, other groups such as the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalists (NEFIN) and Himali People’s Alliance (HPA) a group of the mountain region, are also demanding proper representation for the CA polls on ethnic lines. Likewise, the Federal Republican Forum (FRF) of Jhapa has started demanding for a regional autonomous area for Jhapa district.

The Terai uprising has reached a very critical stage, with sporadic incidents of violence and protests leading to the death of more than 27 civilians and injuring dozens in Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Birgung, Lahan, Morang, Sunsari and Sarlahi, Jhapa in Eastern Nepal. The Terai unrest has also severely paralyzed the country’s economy. Most of the industrial and manufacturing units based in this region have been forced to shut down. The major transit points for trade, between India and Nepal wore a deserted look, with all business activities coming to a halt. The unrest also impacted the tourism sector, which was reviving after years of prolonged conflict. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) estimated a loss of NR 28.74 billion, which includes all kinds of exports and imports of raw materials and finished products. As a result, if the unrest continues, it will have significant impact on the country’s economy and development sectors. Now, there is lull in violence, but the Terai groups have threatened to continue their protests.

The Madhesi uprising is also being instigated by some other forces from within and outside the country. Taking advantage of the fragile condition, the pro-royalists are trying to fish in the troubled waters. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoists’ chairman Prachanda and other senior leaders have said that the Madhesi uprising was instigated by the royalists. In this connection, two former ministers Kamal Thapa and Badrinath Mandal were detained. The monarchy seems to be taking advantage of the incessant turmoil and trying to reestablish itself. In his address to the nation on Democracy Day, King Gyanendra defended the royal takeover of 2005.

There are also external forces, with their hidden agendas, backing the monarchy and pro-royalist in fuelling the Madhesi uprising. The Indian Rightist groups are instigating the Madhesi uprising by fuelling religious sentiments. The World Hindu Federation (WHF), a Hindu fundamentalist group, Shiv Sena-Nepal and Nepal Independent Youth Society (NIYS) are fuelling religious sentiments. The WHF and Shiv Sena Nepal have expressed displeasure at Nepal's transformation into a secular nation. These Hindu fundamentalist groups in Nepal are being strongly backed by Indian Rightist groups. They have been demonstrating and demanding for return to pre-Jana Andolan period. All these forces want to disrupt the CA polls and derail the peace process.

The Terai problem is nothing new and has its genesis in history. There are reasons for agony among the Terai population, consisting mainly of the Madhesis, Janjatis, backward castes, Dalits, women and other marginalised groups. The Madhesi community constitutes more than 40 per cent of the total population and contributes a large share in country’s development. Despite contributing a large share in development process the region has been neglected. The Madhesis remained marginalised for several decades and are deprived of many rights, including citizenship right. The present government has initiated efforts to distribute citizenship certificates, but the process has been slow. The Madhesis have been alienated and discriminated in political, social, culture and economic affairs. They have been under-represented in the state affairs, particularly, in policy decision making levels. At the political level, Madhesi community, along with other marginalised groups have been under-represented. Their representation in national parties is highly inadequate. They face discrimination in army recruitment and other government jobs. For long, the state affairs have been held and dominated by the high-caste people of hill origin and Madhesi community have been struggling in search of identity. Post Jana Aandolan II, the Madhesi community has become more conscious of their rights.

After continuous rounds of meeting, the eight parties reached an accord and authorised the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to act on the Terai problem. During his address to the nation on January 31 and than on February 7, 2007, Koirala called on the protesting Terai groups for dialogue. The government has agreed to resolve their grievances by addressing issues of federalism, ensuring equal participation and representation of Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits, women and other marginalised groups in the CA polls, delineation of electoral constituencies and amendment in interim constitution. The government has already appointed its talk’s team led by Minister of Agriculture Mahanta Thakur, who wrote to the agitating groups to sit for talks and find a peaceful solution to the problem. The MJF responded positively, suspended its agitation and put forward three pre-conditions for talks. First, to form an independent investigation commission, second, to punish the guilty, and, third,, to remove Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula within ten days. After expiry of the deadline, the MJF has resumed its agitation and declared fresh round of protest programmes in Terai. The JTMM (Singh) has also put forward conditions for talks, whereas, the JTMM (Goit) faction has rejected the government’s offer for talks in the absence of a conducive atmosphere.

There is an urgent need for the government and agitating groups to sit for dialogue. On its part, the government has attempted to take a serious and holistic approach to resolve the issues. However, the MJF is adamant in its position and wants the home minister to resign. But it is imperative for the MJF, JTMM and other Madhesi stakeholders to resolve their genuine problems through dialogue. It is also vital to maintain peace and tranquility, for ensuring proper restructuring and creation of an inclusive state. More importantly, return of normalcy will enable smooth conducting of the constituent assembly elections in the country.

Social transformation is a very complex process, which includes not just the state restructuring process but also changes in customs, principles, approach and socio-economic aspects of all sections. Nepal is in transition -- from a feudalistic socio-political arrangement toward a new inclusive and representative democracy. With the promulgation of the interim constitution, Nepal is heading towards creating an inclusive democracy. The main challenge before the government is how it effectively bridges all the differences of gender, caste, region, religion and different political philosophies.

The government has to act fast, taking into account the genuine demands of the Madhesis and other marginalised groups. The Terai problem should be addressed comprehensively and on a priority basis. If the unrest continues, it will allow the monarchy, pro-royalists and other forces to disrupt the peace process. The government and other stakeholders have to ensure that the acts of violence carried out in the past are not repeated. Any further delay in resolving Terai problem could threaten Nepal’s new found peace.

Source: Observer Research Foundation, February 27, 2007