Three-party meet discuss blockade of carriers entering Nepal

The three major political parties discussed the blockade of the goods carriers entering Nepal. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister informed the top leaders of the three parties about the report made by the security committee on country's recent security situation. Following the meeting, DPM and Home Minister, Bam Dev Gautam shared that the meeting discussed that no agitators from Nepal had reached the customs points to block the carriers from entering into Nepal, but it was from the Indian side. "None had gone to Bhairahawa and Biratnagar customs points to block the trucks, but it was from Indian side barring the vehicles from entering Nepal," he said. According to him, agitators coming from across the border in the no-mans-land were urged to return, but turned more agitated, thereby forcing the security forces to fire tear gas shells. The agitators surprisingly hurled the tear gas shells to the Indian side. Later, the Indian SSB came to the area where the tear gas shells were hurled, and measured the area, DPM added. DPM Gautam argued that it was not because of Nepalis but of India the carriers entering into Nepal were blocked. Moreover, he said the meeting discussed how the government could make efforts to regulate the custom points and regularize the transportation by ending the strikes and agitation in Tarai. For the internal security, an integrated security plan would be prepared combining all security agencies. As per the integrated security plan, the vehicular movement along the highway would be regularized, the customs points resumed, the displaced police posts reinstated, and the security arranged in different places for the political parties to conduct meetings on constitution. The security forces were ready to end anarchy and maintain security with high morale, he added. "Security agencies do not intervene in the peaceful activities; but they are directed to control the situation if there was anarchy," the DPM stated. He further argued that the Nepal's new constitution has for the first time in history ensured utmost rights to the people in Tarai/Madhes. The government is firm on moving ahead by dismantling every ill-effort made by some elements, which have troubled the people. Vice-chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Narayan Kaji Shrestha said a decision was taken to expedite measures to resolve the standoff through talks and dialogue. The agitating parties will be requested to come for a dialogue with honesty and stop attacking people's home, whereas government and parties will work to inform the people and the neighbours about the new constitution, he added. Talking to reporters following the meeting, UML Vice-chair Bidhyadevi Bhandari said the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister were urged to ensure that the customs and highways are open, as they serve as the lifeline of the country. "We have invited them for dialogue repeatedly but they are resorting to murder and violence, and also trying to stop the customs from functioning. They also have a duty to make the atmosphere congenial for talks", she added. The meeting today also decided that the three parties will accelerate informal talks with the agitating parties and also hold a talks team for the same. RSS