Nepal: Terai yet again spirals into uncertainty

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Madhesi Andolan Feb 2008

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A Terai* Bandh** has been announced from 05-Mar-2008 to 07-Mar-2008, by the newly renamed armed outfit group known as ATMM (G) - Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha (Goit) led by one Jay Krishna Goit.

Previously known as JTMM(G), the ATMM(G) has been rebelling against the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) + CPN(Maoist) led government for proportional representation of the Terai population in all walks of life, offices and the armed forces. They have also strongly voiced for an independent Terai Autonomous Federal State with rights to self determination.

UMDF (United Madheshi Democratic Front) had recently struck a deal with the government with the fulfillment of their 8 point demands. The UMDF has since been on a campaigning spree for the announced April 10 Constituent Assembly Elections. The internationally welcomed agreement between the government and the UMDF has been termed as high treason which goes against the aspirations of the Terai population; by ATMM(G).

The three days Terai Bandh was announced to boycott Constituent Assembly (CA) Elections to be conducted by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) + CPN(Maoist) led Government, to be held on April 10, 2008.

It may be noted that the CA Elections will decide the fate of Monarchy in Nepal and restructuring of the governance into federal statehood.
 
* Terai is the tropical lowland and rice bowl of Nepal
** Bandh, also a Nepali word meaning 'closed', is a form of protest. While often means the closing down of markets of a city for the day, but there have been instances of entire nation coming to a standstill. (source NepalBandh.com).