The Madhesi parties say their future provincial government will provide compensation to the families of the martyrs of their ongoing agitation over boundaries of six federal provinces.
Sadbhavana Party leader Rajendra Mahato told Nepali Times: “By promising Rs 5 millions, we are encouraging people to fight against an authoritarian government.”
A person has already died during a protest called by the Madhesi Front in Saptari on Tuesday. The front’s decision has already drawn flak on social medial. It has been criticised as ‘provocative’ and people fear that it might lead to more deaths in the Tarai.
As many as 22 people had died during a Madhes movement in January 2007, which catapulted Madhesi parties and leaders like Upendra Yadav and Rajendra Mahato to power. The 2007 Madhes uprising was against the attempt by the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to delete federalism from the interim constitution.
This time the Madhesi parties are agitated over boundaries of federal provinces. They have rejected the Madhes province comprising districts between Parsa and Saptari.
An indefinite strike called by the Madhesi Front has already crippled life across the Tarai. Even on Wednesday, violent protests erupted in several parts of the Tarai.