NO MORE SUFFERINGS
The Kathmandu Post
26
February 2016
NO MORE SUFFERINGS
It was a bit surprising to see the sudden
end of Indian blockade last month that was continuing on the Nepal- India
border points for the last five months. However, there were no official
announcements of lifting the blockade from both the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik
Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) and the Indian government. Nevertheless, there was a speculation
among the people that sooner or later the SLMM would have to withdraw their
protest at the border points considering the gradual dwindling of their cadres
at the protest sites. The dramatic opening of the Birgunj-Raxual border points
had weakened the position of SLMM forcing them to concede that the general
people had suffered more than the Oli led government.
However, at the new report it does not seem
that they will remain passive in the days to come (“Protest on cards, but
doors for dialogue open: Morcha” 24 February, Page 3). They have denied being
included in the political mechanism which was unilaterally formed by the
government a few days ago to make recommendations on federal boundaries within
three months. This process, as opined by the common people, was made simply to
complete the groundwork for PM Oli’s state visit to India. The
SLMM has its every right to protest against the discriminatory and
unconstitutional move of the top leaders. But, such protest should be peaceful
and meaningful so that the common people will not have to suffer as in the
past.
On the other hand, it is yet to be seen as
to how much our PM Oli, after having a “one to one meeting” with his Indian
Counterpart, has been able to clear the political misunderstanding that existed
between the two countries in the recent months. His assurance to PM Modi and
the Indian political leaders to resolve the outstanding political issues with the
Madhes based parties through dialogue and consensus will be closely observed in
the coming days. If this assurance is not met, his state visit to India will remain simply a formality. Nepal and its people will continue to suffer
from other political tactics of the Indian hegemony if Oli and other senior
political leaders continue to show their political ego and act irresponsibly.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
