The local administration has extended curfew hours in Lahan city as well as Siraha bazaar.
After the daylong curfew ended at 7 pm in the evening, the local administration has decided to re-impose curfew from 10 pm till 4 am Wednesday morning in Lahan city. Likewise, the administration has also clamped curfew between 8 pm till 4 am in Siraha bazaar.
After days of violence, Lahan witnessed a relative calm amid curfew on Tuesday. However, some demonstrators exploded a bomb in Mahabir chowk of Siraha bazaar. Police have arrested two persons for exploding the bomb.
Since the past one week, Lahan city had witnessed a series of violent riots sparked by protests carried out by Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) (also Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) in Nepali). Five persons have already died due to the unrest.
Meanwhile, reacting to the government's call for dialogue, MPRF chairman Upendra Yadav has sought written invitation. "The government should send us written invitation and create environment for talks," Yadav said.
According to Yadav, resignation by the Home Minister and murder charge against the Maoist activist who killed a demonstrator would create the environment.
Yadav added that the forum was not against Constituent Assembly. "We are in favour of fruitful CA where rights of Madhesis and indigenous communities will be respected," he said.
nepalnews.com sd Jan 23 07