India Timeline - Year 2015

January 1

At a meeting of the CA's BAC, CA Chairman Subash Nembang proposed that he be granted the right to issue a draft of the Constitution, if the political parties fail to forge consensus on disputed issues within four days. According to leaders present in the meeting, NC and CPN-UML indirectly backed CA Chair Nembang's proposal, while UCPN-M and Madheshi parties' front said that the proposal was unacceptable.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang's proposal for entrusting him with the task of preparing a preliminary draft of the new constitution has received mixed reactions from the ruling and opposition parties. Though the main opposition UCPN-M rejected his idea, the ruling NC and CPN-UML have approved of it.

Addressing an event organised by Mahotari Pariwar Kathmandu, to felicitate chief justice Ram Kumar Prasad Shah, PM Sushil Koirala said he believed that the new constitution would be out on its January 22 schedule as a consensus between the main parties will be reached in the next three days.

A committee formed to recommend members/chairpersons of TRC and CED is likely to publish the names of shortlisted candidates by January 9. The TRC Recommendation Committee will ask the public to lodge complaints, if any, against the shortlisted candidates through chief District offices, District peace committees and Peace Fund Secretariat, Babarmahal. According to TRC Recommendation Committee member Pradip Pokhrel, the meeting of the committee finalised the procedures for lodging complaints against the shortlisted candidates.

Concluding that there are slim chances of agreement among parties, the 30-party alliance led by the UCPN-M decided to further strengthen the protest program announced earlier, saying that the ruling NC and CPN-UML are in favor of enforcing the statute through two-third majority. The opposition alliance came up with the plan with a day remaining for conclusion of deliberations at the CA on the report tabled by the CPDCC. Member of the alliance RK Khusbu informed that the alliance will protest if the new constitution is promulgated through majority votes.

The proposal of the CA Chairman Subas Nembang to entrust him for preparing a preliminary draft of the new statute has come under fire even from the lawmakers of ruling parties. Saying that it's not the task of the CA Chairman to inscribe the draft, lawmakers criticized the proposal floated by Nembang. During the meeting of the Constitution Drafting Committee of the CA, CA members of ruling parties said that the onus should not be transferred to the CA Chairman arguing that the responsibility to prepare the draft of the statute lies with the committee.

Cross-party negotiators involved in resolving disputed issues of the constitution drafting process said an agreement on the long debated issues could be announced within a couple of days. The ruling and opposition leaders who have informally resolved some disputes such as electoral system and the judiciary are trying to find a deal on federalism. They, however, want to make public the details once all the issues are settled officially.

The NHRC recommended action against the guilty in four cases of human rights violations that took place during the Maoist insurgency. According to a press release issued by NHRC member Mohna Ansari, the commission has urged the government to punish the guilty in four cases of human rights violation and to provide a compensation of NPR 300,000 to the families of each victim. It has recommended a compensation of the said amount to the families of each victim who were killed in a Maoist attack at Beni, the headquarters of Myagdi District, on March 20, 2004.

Former Speaker and Senior Advocate Daman Nath Dhungana has been nominated chairman of the proposed TRC, and former appellate court judge Lokendra Mallik as head of the CED. The major parties, agreed on the names, which will be forwarded to the committee responsible for recommending officials for both the commissions, to be enlisted in the roster of candidates.

Speaking at an interaction program in Kathmandu, NC leader Dip Kumar Upadhyay said that a draft constitution has to be readied by January 22, 2015 and a full-fledged constitution has to be issued by May 29, 2015. Upadhyay said, "It is not possible to issue a constitution on January 22. Therefore, we have to make adjustments. Parties are narrowing differences on forms of governance, electoral system and judiciary. Disputes are there only about the delineation of provincial borders. We will soon reach an understanding in this regard."

UCPN-M leadership presented a common proposal, of the party-led thirty-party front, at a meeting of the four major parties. On the matter of state restricting, the concept paper has mentioned that there would be ten provinces in total. Likewise, in terms of form of governance, the concept paper has proposed division of power between directly elected president and parliament-elected prime minister along with a mixed electoral system.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that the chances of confrontation in the CA are growing as the ruling parties are preparing to move ahead bypassing them on the constitution writing course. In a meeting of the 30-party alliance, that he leads, Dahal said CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli in particular wanted to promulgate the constitution by January 22 in his rush to "ascend to power". Dahal informed his allies that though there were positive indications no solid foundation had been laid for cross-party agreement on the disputes.

Major political parties have started discussion on an alternative (date) for January 22, the stipulated date for promulgation of new constitution. A meeting between NC, UCPN-M and Madheshi parties' front was held at the PM's Baluwatar residence. According to leaders involved in the discussion process, parties started discussion on an alternative at a time when the CA's work-schedule (calendar) has already been affected. There is confusion at all quarters regarding the date of constitution promulgation after the parties have not been able to forge consensus on disputed issues. The parties are now making preparation to bring a draft of the constitution on January 22 and side by side announce a new date for promulgation of the constitution.

The ruling coalition partners NC and CPN-UML are all set to hold a 'decisive talks' with the UCPN-M-led 30-party alliance, on making efforts to bring the draft of constitution on the slated date. The meeting of NC and CPN-UML held at Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, evening took the decision to hold a decisive meeting with the opposition alliance.

In what could be a positive step for promulgating a constitution within the deadline, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, Chairperson of the UCPN-M, has said that he would not be a hurdle for issuing a constitution on the stipulated date of January 22, 2015.

The MJF-N decided to put forth the common proposal of 30 political parties as its precondition for consensus. A meeting of the party's political committee, decided to seek assurance on the implementation of the past pacts signed with the Madhesi parties and the provisions pertaining to federal set-up mentioned in the interim constitution.

Top leaders of the four major political forces have discussed sending the disputes over constitution making back to the CPDCC of the CA for a few days for seeking consensus. The chiefs of the four major political forces discussed the option as they have failed to settle the major contentious issues through consensus. PM Sushil Koirala from NC, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and Bijay Gachchhadar from the Madhes-based parties attended the meeting. "We are ready to send the disputes anywhere, be it to the CPDCC or any other place, if that helps produce a new constitution by January 22," Oli told reporters while emerging from the meeting held at the CA hall at New Baneshwar, Kathmandu.

Three major political parties, the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M have agreed to return the report containing disputed issues of the new constitution back to CPDCC. A meeting of the three parties has decided to request CA Chairman Subash Nembang to send the report back to the CPDCC, in a bid to seek consensus.

Madhesi parties snubbed cross-party meeting seeking apology from CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli saying that his remarks on federalism had hurt their sentiment. "We boycotted the meeting as Oli has not furnished his apology," said Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato, who had a heated exchange with Oli when the latter remarked that every plain land cannot be part of Madhes. Oli, however, said he would not apologise at any cost. "I was presenting my views decently but they abruptly walked out of the meeting," Oli said after a three-party meeting in Baluwatar, Kathmandu on January 8. "Convey my message that KP Oli won't apologise as long as he's alive."

Closed session of the CPN-M first national convention began in Dang District. Party coordinator Netra Bikram Chand presented a political paper at the meeting being held in Tulsipur in Dang District from January 7. Convention participants are discussing the political paper, sources said. The party has formed a four-member presidium including leaders Santosh Budha, Ekraj Bhandari, Tilak Pariyar and Bandhu Chand to facilitate the discussions. The first convention of the youngest Maoist party is expected to finalise its plan of action.

Speaking at the inaugural function of City Council of Pyuthan Municipality, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam remarked that the new constitution will be promulgated on January 22 even if it has to be done through voting. Gautam, who is also the vice chairman of CPN-UML, said so at a time when the political parties are, apparently, nowhere near consensus on the disputed issues of constitution drafting while the January 22 deadline is just two weeks away. Minister Gautam said the constitution would be drafted through process if the parties failed to forge consensus.

The CPDCC of the CA authorised its Chairman Baburam Bhattarai to forge consensus and table a report in the next meeting scheduled for January 11. The cross-party committee has asked Bhattarai to consult with senior leaders along with CA Chairman Subas Nembang and members of the committee in order to come up with a draft that is acceptable to all sides.

The Government is bracing for a potential security threat that could come from extreme left and right forces in and around January 22, a self-imposed deadline set by the political parties to promulgate the new constitution. Though no big security threats have been identified so far, the Home Ministry's assessment has suggested that the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-M and fundamental religious groups could spur tension if there is no agreement on constitution drafting. "For instance, some pro-Hindu outfits could try to derail the constitution drafting process by demanding restoration of Hindu identity," a senior Home Ministry official said.

Delegates of the breakaway party - the Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplav'-led CPN M - have expressed demands to bring back the Maoists' dissolved conflict-time institutions like the 'People's Government', PLA and the 'People's Court', CPN-M spokesperson Khadga Biswakarma told the media. During the conference, the delegates discussed views regarding the party's statute proposed by its coordinator Netra Bikram Chand and expressed their desire to move forward with re-establishing the people's government, PLA and people's court to fight back against the state.

A dissatisfied group from CPN-Maoist has formed a new Maoist outfit bearing the name CPN-Maoist (Revolutionary). A press conference was held to inform about the formation of the party. The party has been formed under the leadership of Bhojendra Prasad Chaulagain, who previously was involved in the decade-long insurgency and has lately been active with the CPN-Maoist faction led by Mohan Baidya. Akash Sharma has been appointed as the General Secretary of the party. The chairman of the newly formed party told the media that they were forced to open the new party as the Maoist leadership deceived them by submitting arms and ammunition to the government in the name of peace and prosperity. "Submitting the arms to the government, the then Maoist party cheated us dragging themselves to an unimpressive path, and hence we were compelled to announce this new party", said Chaulagain.

The CPN-UML has officially declared that January 13, 2015 would be the last date for cross-party consensus and the Legislature-Parliament will formally begin the constitution-making process on the same day. Organizing a press meet at its party headquarters at Madan Nagar, Balkhu, Kathmandu, CPN-UML said that opposition parties have to reach a consensus by Tuesday (January 13); otherwise, time will not wait for them.

In a joint meeting with ruling NC and CPN-UML at PM Sushil Koirala's official residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, the smaller parties represented in the CA have suggested the NC and CPN-UML to be highly flexible, but without reaching unnecessary agreements with the opposition parties including UCPN-M and Madhesi Morcha, for issuing a constitution.

Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal', General Secretary of the CPN-Maoist, has said that he and his party would never support the promulgation of a new constitution through the incumbent CA on January 22. "We will immediately burn the constitution a day after its issuance," Thapa said at an interaction program in Dang District.

In the interim, the chairman of CPDCC of the CA, Baburam Bhattarai, briefed the CPDCC about the informal meetings that he held with leaders of major parties. Noting that the talks so far were positive, Bhattarai expressed his hope that the CPDCC would be able to forge consensus on crucial issues of new constitution by tomorrow (January 12).

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has written to various key political leaders in Nepal to promulgate new constitution within the set deadline of January 22 "in the spirit of compromise and broad interest of the country." In separate letters addressed to PM Sushil Koirala, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and UDMF Coordinator Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Secretary General Ban has expressed hope that political parties in Nepal will be able to deliver an "inclusive and democratic" constitution within the set deadline.

Bandh enforced by the UCPN-M-led 30-party alliance and the CPN-Maoist, in several parts of the country turned violent. In Janakpur, a protester identified as Rajaram Jha (25), died at Bhramarpurachok in Dhanusha District. Bandh organisers claimed that Jha died due to Police brutality. Police, however, dismissed the claim and said the victim was found unconscious on the street and was taken to hospital. Clashes also erupted in Jhapa, Siraha and Dhanusha. In Parsa, protesters vandalised half-a-dozen vehicles, some shops and ATM booths for defying their general strike. Normal life was affected in Tarai, western, mid-western and far-western Districts as transport was disrupted while marketplaces and educational institutions remained closed.

Four major political forces have failed to iron out the differences over constitution writing within the four-day time given by the CA, making the preliminary statute draft impossible by January 22. This has further widened the rift between the ruling and opposition parties ahead of the statute promulgation deadline 10 days away. The ruling NC and CPN-UML have been pushing for a vote in the CA on the disputed issues while the Maoist and Madhesi parties insist on political consensus. After a meeting of the CPDCC, Chairman Baburam Bhattarai said he would submit the report to the Assembly on Tuesday (January 13) by incorporating the achievements made so far. He said that the names and demarcation of federal states had been a sticking point.

Retaining its position against single identity-based federalism, the CPN-UML has decided to push for the seven-state model it floated jointly with the senior coalition partner NC. Majority of CPN-UML lawmakers, who spoke at the Parliamentary Party meet, reiterated the party position against single identity and called for ensuring equal rights to all the citizens. The idea of single identity has been rejected by the electorate, lawmaker Sherdhan Rai said. "We need to go for multiple identities given our diversity."

At a time when the political parties are struggling to end the statute stalemate, a senior UN official arrives in Kathmandu on January 13, to take stock of the progress in constitution writing. Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman will stay in the Capital for three days.

The Recommendation Committee formed to name members for the TRC and CIED, submitted 69 names to the government. The list does not mention which names are for TRC and which others are for CIED. The Commission has asked public to complain against any names within five days at the Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation or Peace Fund Secretariat, if they have any.

A meeting of the 30-party Front held in Kathmandu criticised CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang for holding the CA meet without informing the 19 parties of the Front representing the CA. According to Gopal Dahit, senior leader of Tharuhat Tarai Party, today's meeting of the Front held at Singha Durbar to assess the Newa-Tamsaling and Tarai-Madhes bandh, decided to deplore the CA Chair for holding the CA meeting after expressing commitment to postpone it. CA member Dahit said Nembang had said he would postpone today's CA meeting but did not keep his word. He also did not inform the 19 opposition parties that the CA meeting would continue today.

The NC CWC, decided to ask the CA to make decisions on the proposals that the CPDCC presented, and forward them to the Constitution Drafting Committee. The CA meeting has been called on January 16. After it failed to convince the major parties to forge consensus on crucial issues of new constitution, the CPDCC-led by UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai had submitted its report, which incorporates several proposals floated by different political parties to it earlier, to CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang on January 13. The report was later presented to the CA meeting. The NC further urged the UCPN-M and other parties to cancel their protest programmes, including general shutdown, and focus on the constitution-drafting instead.

The FRA led by UCPN-M discussed their protest strategies within and outside CA and also discussed how they could collaborate with Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist and Janajati forces, including Padmaratna Tuladhar-led Indigenous Nationalities' National Movement.

During a press conference at the UN House, the visiting UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, has strongly encouraged the political leaders in Nepal to conclude the constitution drafting process through compromise, flexibility and inclusivity. This is a clear message to both ruling and opposition parties whose political positions have cast uncertainty on the possibility of the constitution being issued on January 22 deadline.

The UCPN-M is preparing to intensify protests within the CA and on the streets as the January 22 constitution promulgation deadline approaches. The opposition party also urged the ruling coalition to suspend its plan of settling contentious issues through a vote in the CA arguing that the document of far-reaching consequence should be drafted on the basis of consensus among the major stakeholders.

UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda kept himself busy throughout the day holding meetings with the opposition alliance in a bid to make the alliance of opposition parties stronger in CA and the streets. He held discussions with lawmakers, office bearers and standing committee members of his party in party headquarters Paris Danda, Kathmandu.

When the UCPN-M and Madhes-centric parties are putting up a united front against the ruling NC and CPN-UML, the Madhesi parties are also mulling over separate Madhes-specific programmes. Madhesi leaders say that even though they have been in alliance with the main opposition party, it is not necessary that the Maoists and they see eye to eye on every issue.

Outside the CA, the UCPN-M has formed an alliance with the breakaway CPN-Maoist and Janajati groups and organisations to bolster its position through street agitation. The party is against the idea of preparing a questionnaire on the disputed issues for clause-wise voting in the Assembly. As the CA chairman intends to form a special taskforce to prepare the questionnaire, the party said it would not accept the move.

A group of CA members led by the ruling NC and CPN-UML submitted a list of signatures of at least 413 CA members from the ruling and various other parties to CA Chairman Subas Nembang demanding promulgation of new constitution by January 22. On behalf of over two-thirds majority of lawmakers, Chairman of Rastriya Janamorcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, submitted the list of signatures to Nembang at the CA hall at New Baneshwar in Kathmandu.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda instructing party leaders and cadres in Lalitpur District assured party cadres of foiling any attempt to promulgate the new constitution through voting process in the CA.

The 19-party block led by UCPN-M has insisted on forging consensus rather than going for voting on disputed issues and warned of consequences if the ruling NC and CPN-UML went ahead with the voting process. During the discussion on the CPDCC report in the CA, lawmakers representing the Maoists and Madhesi parties insisted on consensus.

The NEFIN, an alliance of various Janajati organisations in the country, has said it will not object to promulgation of the new constitution through voting process if the statute ensures the rights of Janajati people. In a memorandum submitted to CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, NEFIN representatives asked the ruling parties to abide by the past agreements, signed with Janajati groups, while federating the country. NEFIN leaders also clarified that there could be flexibility in the number and naming of provinces. NEFIN leaders demanded that the new constitution should include mixed electoral system, independent judiciary, mixed governance system and secularism as enshrined in the Interim Constitution. They also said that the electoral system should have a provision of electing minimum of 60 percent seats through proportional representation.

The late night meeting of the CA was postponed for 1:00 pm on January 20, following strong protest amidst scuffles by the opposition CA members against the effort to table a proposal for a committee to develop questionnaires on the disputed issues of the new constitution. As soon as CA Chairman Subas Nembang called the name of NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha to table the proposal for the formation of the committee, the opposition members left their respective seats and rushed towards the rostrum. Some of the opposition CA members resorted to vandalism after the CA meeting was adjourned, breaking chairs and microphone, jumping over the tables and throwing chairs towards the marshals, and hurling their shoes towards the podium. Scores of marshals were injured in the incident.

CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang has said that he will take ahead the procedure as the political parties failed to forge consensus on the contentious issues of constitution drafting. Nembang summoned the meeting of parliamentary BAC to take ahead the CA procedure as no agreement could be forged on the agenda of the CA meeting.

The meeting of Parliamentary BAC hit a deadlock after the ruling and opposition parties locked their horns over whether or not to go for CA process. The proposals tabled at the meeting to constitute a committee to prepare on the disputed issues of constitution drafting have been turned down by the opposition parties including the UCPN-M and Madhesi parties.

Cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-M, looted liquefied petroleum gas cylinders from Gwarko-based main depot of Himal Gas in Lalitpur and distributed them to consumers free of cost. Shiva Ghimire, president of the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association, said Maoists looted the cylinders claiming that the depot had been selling them in black. However, CPN-M cadres claimed to have taken over 2,000 cylinders from the depot.

The standoff in the CA continued, a day after the Assembly saw members belonging to the UCPN-M and allies on the rampage following the CA chairman's call to table a proposal to form a questionnaire committee. The 19-party alliance continued to protest the bid to table the proposal. CA members, however, confined themselves to the well of the Assembly Hall.

Preliminary estimates have shown the unprecedented vandalism that took place at the CA hall on January 19 caused damage of around Rs 3 million. The estimation of the loss is based on the collection of details by the CA Secretariat technical officials, said CA Secretariat.

The ruling NC and CPN-UML urged CA Chairman Subas Nembang to proceed with the Assembly process to clear the hurdles for the constitution writing. NC Joint Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka said "It is now up to the CA Chairman to explore the options on how to move ahead, as we have asked him to use his conscience to end the political deadlock. The CA business should be continued."

Leaders of the NC and CPN-UML said that it has become impossible to release the new constitution on January 22 deadline because of the hindrance posed by the UCPN-M and Madhes-based parties. CPN-UML senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal said "There can't be any agreements against the national unity and sovereignty. The promulgation of new constitution tomorrow (January 22) seems unlikely. We will draft the constitution within a month."

Around 1,000 SF personnel are being deployed outside the CA building in Kathmandu, the deadline for the promulgation of a new constitution which by now is highly unlikely. Given the increasing polarization between the major political parties over constitution writing process and the recent spate of violence that erupted inside and outside the CA Hall, the Government is stepping up security around the CA building and in areas that have been designated as prohibited zones. Nepal Police will deploy over 450 officers around the CA building while an equal number of Armed Police Force personnel will accompany them to secure the perimeter from possible incidents of violence. A three-layer security ring has been planned to stave off protesters from breaking inside the prohibited zones. The SF will be armed with water cannons, tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

Ten packets of chilli powder have been recovered from CA building. The packets were found on the several corners of the building half an hour before the meeting began.

Despite repeated attempts, the ruling NC and its alliance partner CPN-UML as also the main opposition UCPN-M and Madhesh-based parties failed to reach a consensus on issues ranging from federalism, form of government, judiciary and electoral system, which made the constitution elusive. This is a second time that the parties in Nepal failed to deliver a new constitution. The CA elected in 2008 was dissolved in May 2012 without a new charter. The second CA was elected in 2013 and at its first meeting on January 21, 2014, it resolved to draft the country's new constitution within a year, by January 22. Nepal's parties had agreed to draft a new constitution by signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006, which ended a 10-year-old insurgency.

CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang has put forward a middle path proposal to allow the PP leaders of all 31 political parties inside the CA to put their views on finding a path of consensus to end the current deadlock in CA. Nembang also proposed to give further time to seek consensus. On the other hand, the ruling NC and CPN-UML said the process of formation of Questionnaire Committee is underway and it cannot be stopped.

Senior UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai has apologised to the people for failing to deliver the new constitution on time as promised. "As per the commitment to promulgate the new constitution, I take the responsibility on my part and apologise from my heart," he said in a statement.

The opposition alliance has begun deliberations on the consensus proposal floated by Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, chairman of the 'Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha', who proposed to send the contentious issues agreed upon-judiciary and electoral system-to the Constitution Drafting Committee. Gachhadar also proposed to agree to NC and CPN-UML's stand on form of government with a note of dissent. Likewise, Gachhadar has proposed carving 6 to 9 provinces and give a two-month period to decide on the geography, boundary and names of the provinces.

The government has clarified to the international community that the constitution writing process would move ahead based on democratic norms and values. The government informed the representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu at a time when the international community was expressing concern to the constitution writing process after the vandalism in the CA and brawl among the lawmakers on January 20 morning.

In his televised address to the nation, PM Sushil Koirala has said the new constitution would be promulgated on the basis of mutual cooperation, dialogue and democratic procedure. Koirala urged all the parties to make the constitution writing process a success through the CA. "I want to urge all the political parties to come together for the promulgation of a democratic republic constitution with national unity and reconciliation," Koirala said. He said timely promulgation of the constitution is necessary to end the prolonged stalemate.

Amid the ruling parties' firm position to initiate the voting process "unilaterally", the opposition bloc led by the UCPN-M has warned that it could take the extreme step of walking out of the CA. With CA Chairman Subas Nembang stating, that January 25 meeting would be decisive in initiating the voting process for deciding the contentious issues of statute writing, opposition leaders said they will not accept any proposal in the CA without agreement with them. Maoist leaders said it would be easier for them to walk out of the CA process rather than "abandon their progressive agendas".

Making the announcement to conclude the agenda to form a Questionnaire Committee following continuous obstruction of the opposition parties, CA Chairman Subas Nembang has made it clear that the next CA meeting would be decisive. "I would like to clear the doubts. The agenda, which belongs to all of us, is pending at the CA for the last few days," said Nembang amidst the noisy crowd of lawmakers.

A day after CA Chairman Subas Nembang formed the Questionnaire Committee; former PM and senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, said that the ruling coalition had made a mistake by tabling its nine-point proposal at the CPDCC earlier. ?The proposal [mainly for seven-state federation and reformed parliamentary system] that the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML tabled was a mistake,? said Nepal at an interaction in Kathmandu.

PM Sushil Koirala made a telephone call to UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and urged him to sit for talks. Dahal is said to have asked the PM to bring out a concrete proposal for consensus. A meeting of the ruling parties had assigned the PM to hold talks with the opposition parties in order to seek consensus on the key issues of the new constitution. Dahal, made it clear to the PM that it would be difficult for the opposition to come to the negotiating table until the ruling parties corrected their decision to move ahead with the majority process in the CA.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang has scheduled the first meeting of the CA?s proposal drafting committee for January 31. Nembang?s move comes a day after he announced the formation of the committee at the CA plenary on January 25, amidst sloganeering by UCPN-M and other opposition lawmakers. ?I have scheduled the committee?s first meeting for January 31,? Nembang told reporters at his chamber at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has suggested to the ruling coalition to make efforts for drafting new constitution through consensus. During a meeting with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and other leaders at the President´s Office, the president urged the parties to forge consensus.

The UCPN-M led 30-party opposition alliance has announced a series of protest against the majority process started by the ruling parties for bringing a new constitution. A meeting of the alliance, decided to go to the people to demand withdrawal of the majoritan move of the ruling coalition. The alliance has said it will hold peaceful interaction, protest, and sit-ins for a month till Febuary-28.

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-M has urged the UCPN-M to quit the CA. Issuing a press statement, Chand has appealed to the UCPN-M to go to the people and prepare for struggling for bringing a "people´s constitution" through broader political consensus.

The ruling partners in the CA, the NC and CPN-UML, respectively, have urged the main opposition UCPN-M including other parties in its alliance for positive support and cooperation in the constitution drafting process. The alliance headed by the UCPN-M resorted to violent activities and chose the way of strike and shutdown in instead of coming to a consensus. But still we, with a great patience and sense of responsibility, have focused on democratic system, the ruling parties claimed in the statement.

As the UCPN-M clings to the faint hope that there would finally be consensus, its breakaway faction CPN-Maoist, led by Mohan Baidya, sees no hope at all. ?With the minimal representation of the progressive forces in the CA, the UCPN-M is not in a strong bargaining position,? CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung said, adding, ?They can only create pressure by staging street protests.?

The UCPN-M, has decided to boycott the meetings of all parliamentary committees to press the ruling NC and CPN-UML, into resolving the disputed issues of constitution writing through consensus. The party has already announced that it will not be attending the meeting of the Questionnaire Committee formed despite protests from the opposition to settle the disputes, as the parties failed to issue a new constitution by the January 22 deadline.  The UCPN-M Parliamentary Party meeting, concluded that there was no point attending the meetings of the parliamentary committees when the ruling parties were trying to bypass the opposition parties in the constitution drafting process. The decision of the Maoist party announcing street protests to exert pressure on the ruling coalition will affect the functions of more than one dozen parliamentary committees.

The leaders of MJF-L have been mounting pressure on their Chairman Bijay Gachhadar not to renege on the party?s position on the disputed issues of constitution writing. The leaders have asked Gachhadar to ensure that party?s position on federalism, forms of government and electoral system is implemented during the cross-party talks on January 28. Gachhadar had floated the idea of settling for six to nine states whose demarcation could be settled later, and on other issues, if agreed could be sent to the Drafting Committee.

CPN-UML Senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal said the constitution writing process forwarded by the CA would not be halted at any cost. Receiving a memorandum submitted by the Reporters' Club Nepal with an objective to exert pressure for writing constitution , at his residence in Dallu in Kathmandu, he said the disputed issues witnessed during the constitution writing process could be settled through political consensus.

The CPN-UML standing committee meeting, decided to ask the UCPN-M-led opposition alliance to sit for interparty talks to end the stalemate constitution writing. The ruling party described the decision to form the Proposal Drafting Committee as a positive development in constitution making although the opposition parties have threatened to boycott the CA over the issue. The ruling parties had decided to form the committee amid protest by opposition lawmakers. 

UCPN-M senior leader Baburam Bhattarai, speaking at the Reporters Club Nepal, has said that consensus is still possible if the parties decide not to go voting to settle disputed issues in constitution writing and promulgate a new constitution through majority. Bhattarai, however, said that fruitful talks with the ruling parties are not possible unless the latter decides not to bring new constitution through the majority process. The 19-party alliance led by the UCPN-M has decided not to sit for talks with the ruling parties, unless the latter agrees to settle the disputed issues in constitution writing through consensus.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda accused the ruling parties of trying to sideline the party in the constitution drafting process. Presenting a report on the current political scenario in the country, Dahal said the ruling parties were deliberately trying to force the UCPN-M into quitting the CA. He, however, said that his party would not walk out of the CA as it was his party that had demanded election to the CA to draft a new constitution.

The ruling NC and CPN-UML have said that the questionnaire formulation process on the disputed issues of constitution writing will go ahead even if the opposition parties stay out of the Questionnaire Committee. A day before the first meeting of the committee responsible for developing a set of objective questions on the disputes, the ruling parties, said there was no point in delaying the CA process. Stating that efforts at consensus could materialise even when questionnaire formulation is in progress, the ruling parties have asked the opposition bloc to join the committee without further delay.

Among the proposals are the joint paper of the ruling NC and CPN-UML that calls for a seven-state federation with reformed parliamentary system. The Maoists stand for 10 states, based on the report of the State Restructuring Commission during the first CA, a position backed by the Madhes-centric parties too. The latter have also registered their separate proposals on the contentious issues. The Maoists are for directly-elected President as the executive head. To woo the opposition, ruling leaders have been reaching out to the key players informally, to no avail. Opposition parties have said they will not be on the questionnaire panel.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said, that the opposition front his party leads finds it hard to sit with the ruling parties for talks without first scrapping the Questionnaire Committee formed to prepare for voting on the disputed issues. In an unplanned meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at his residence in Lazimpat, Dahal urged the NC chief to create an environment for consensus through dialogue with the ruling NC and CPN-UML.

As the ruling and opposition parties are at loggerheads over the way to resolve the disputed issues of the constitution writing process, President Ram Baran Yadav reiterated his call for consensus. A day before a scheduled meeting of the Questionnaire Committee, he asked the opposition parties to prioritise national interests and settle disputed issues even by resorting to a give and take.

The UCPN-M has warned the NC and CPN-UML not to push it to the brink by going ahead unilaterally in the constitution drafting process. If the ruling parties continue to sideline them and try to draft the new constitution on the basis of their numerical strength in the CA, said party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda in a press conference at the party headquarters, Perisdanda, Kathmandu, such circumstances could force them to opt out of the CA process altogether.

Dahal reiterated that there can be no negotiations with the ruling parties until there is the guarantee of scrapping of the ongoing majority process in the CA and returning to consensus process in constitution drafting. The Maoist chief said the top leaders will reach the people to inform them about the ?conspiracy being made by the ruling parties? to dampen the political gains. According to the official decision of the party, leaders Dahal, Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha will stay outside the Capital to lead political movements. Dahal will take the command of the central region, Bhattarai western, and Shrestha will lead the movement in the eastern region. The Central Committee has decided to intensity the agitation across the country.

The SLMM has reiterated its position of not holding talks with the ruling NC and CPN-UML until an environment ?conducive? to consensus is created. The Madhesi alliance has also directed its lawmakers to visit their respective constituencies to ensure effective implementation of the protest programme. Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato also informed that the SLMM remains firm on the position of the alliance on the contentious issues. 

The Questionnaire Committee of the CA, formed a nine-member subcommittee to formulate objective questions on the contentious issues of constitution writing for voting purpose. According to cross-party leaders, the subcommittee will formulate questions by February 4 and submit them to the committee. CA member from CPN-UML Agni Kharel leads the sub-panel which prepares questions mainly on the disputes related to federalism, forms of government, judiciary and electoral system. The subcommittee will prepare questions on the basis of the reports submitted by the CPDCC and the discussions held in the full House on the contentious issues of the new constitution.

The fourth-largest RPP-N boycotted the committee meeting after the ruling parties turned down its proposal to prepare questions on federalism, republicanism and secularism. The UCPN-M and Madhes-based parties are outside the committee stating that they do not support a majority approach in constitution drafting. Out of the 31 parties in the CA, 20 have expressed dissatisfaction at the committee.

Deputy PM and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam has said that the constitution will be promulgated within the next four months. He made such remarks at a time when other leaders of ruling parties have been claiming that the constitution will be promulgated within few weeks. Minister Gautam, who is also the vice chairman of CPN-UML, said the threats and intimidation would not affect the constitution writing process. Speaking at a press conference Gulariya in Bardiya District, Gautam remarked that one cannot get their demands fulfilled through weapons. He went on to say that the opposition's threats of possible civil war in case of failure to promulgate the constitution are just rants.

Top UCPN-M leaders - Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha - are set to leave Kathmandu to lead the protests in the central, western and eastern region respectively. The three leaders will go in their constituencies as decided by party's Central Committee on February 3, leaders said. Dahal, Bhattarai and Shrestha held the meeting of their respective commands.

CPN-UML Chairman K. P. Sharma Oli said that the constitution will be promulgated even if the UCPN-M-led opposition alliance does not come on board the constitution drafting process. Oli made it clear that his party is working on the foreground of constitution drafting rather than for government.

PM Sushil Koirala said that the constitution drafting process will not stop at any cost. He said the constitution drafting process will not stop because of threats, brags, and blackmails from the UCPN-M. "The obstruction caused in the constitution drafting process has been criticised and rejected ubiquitously. They [oppositions] don't want to forge consensus and try to blackmail us when we ask them for an agreement?As the prime minister, I have raised myself above party politics and even gatecrashed Prachanda's [Pushpa Kamal Dahal] party meeting for talks. But he put a condition of dissolving the Questionnaire Committee. Who am I to dissolve a committee formed by the CA [Constituent Assembly]? I replied him [Dahal] I don't have the authority to dissolve it," Koirala said. Koirala made it clear that no meetings will be held with pre-conditions and the constitution will be promulgated even through process.

The CPN-Maoist-Baidya has decided to join forces with other agitating parties to launch a joint protest against the ongoing constitution writing process. It said that it could also forge an agenda-based alliance with the main opposition, UCPN-M. In a political document tabled at the party's central committee meeting on February 1, CPN-Maoist-Baidya Chairman Mohan Baidya said that the party's relations with other protesting forces will depend on their agendas.

The Proposal Drafting Committee under the CA has sought additional five days to complete its tasks of converting unresolved issues of the new statute into questions in objective format for voting. A meeting of the committee, made the decision after its failure to complete assigned tasks within the set deadline of February 4.

Chairman of MJF-L Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has said that there should be three states in Madhes for political consensus. Talking to reporters in Biratnagar Airport, Gachhadar said three states in Madhes would facilitate political consensus over the issue of federalism. "Biratnagar should be the capital of one of the Madhesi states as the people in the East are not ready to accept Janakpur and Birgunj as the capital," said the MJF-L chief, but declined to divulge details on federalism.

After two-and-a-half years of party split, the Central Committee meeting of the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist has formally decided to approach the UCPN-M for reunification. The CPN-Maoist that had boycotted the election to the second CA has also urged the UCPN-M to quit the CA and join forces with them against the existing system.

The UCPN-M Chairman and Coordinator of the opposition alliance Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda during a meeting held at Shital Niwas, informed President Ram Baran Yadav that their protest was a compulsion as ruling parties NC and CPN-UML started working unilaterally. The UCPN-M Chairman remarked that the ruling parties have not initiated any stern efforts for consensus, and said that they had no option than to hold programs of protest.

President Yadav urged the opposition alliance to cease their protest programmes and sit for talks. "There is a danger that the nation will move towards conflict and consensus cannot be forged with increasing bitterness," said Yadav, "The leaders of ruling parties have also said that they are ready for consensus, stress on consensus."

The questionnaire subcommittee formed under the Proposal Drafting Committee of the CA has prepared a total of 242 questions relating to disputed issues in constitution making. The subcommittee prepared the questionnaire related to state restructuring. "We prepared a list of 72 questions on the disputes related to state restructuring," Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) Chief Whip Agni Kharel told reporters at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. On state restructuring, various proposals ranging from five-province model to 14-province model registered by various political parties and lawmakers have been included in the list of questionnaires.

Madhes-based parties protesting against the formation the questionnaire committee in the CA have said that the letter from Prime Minister Sushil Koirala appealing the opposition to sit for talks was vague, unclear and abstract. Vice-chairman of MPRF-D, Jeetendra Narayan Dev said the opposition parties would respond to the letter after a meeting of the 30-party alliance on February 9.

Talking to journalists at the District headquarters Siraha, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has said that his alliance was ready to sit for a dialogue if the ruling parties created trustworthy environment for the same. Chairman Dahal also said that the environment conducive for talks would be created if the government sent a letter inviting them for a dialogue. He said that the country would go on the way to conflict if the ruling parties did not stop constitution drafting process on the basis of majority. It was unfortunate that the constitution drafting process has been taken ahead by ignoring the spirit of past agreements held among the parties.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang, while receiving the report of the questionnaire committee at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu has said he will take the majority course of constitution making process ahead on the basis of the report of the CA´s questionnaire committee if the political parties fail to settle disputes through consensus. The CA chairman said that he is still for giving priority to consensus course and the report prepared by the questionnaire committee can be a strong basis for forging consensus among major political forces. He urged the leaders of the major political forces to reach political agreement before the CA plenary is convened on February 12.

PM Sushil Koirala while addressing a party gathering at the NC headquarters in Sanepa, said his party is ready to adopt ?maximum flexibility? in talks with the opposition parties in order to bring the constitution drafting process back on track.

MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has said PM Sushil Koirala?s failure to create an atmosphere for dialogue could lead the country into another conflict. Gachhadar said that the PM?s role is crucial in finding consensus; else the nation will suffer if the PM fails to take the lead.

The government in a Cabinet meeting, appointed former ambassador Surya Kiran Gurung as the Chairman and Lila Udashi, Krishna Subedi, Madhavi Bhatta and Manchala Jha as members of the TRC, likewise, former Chief Judge Lokendra Mallik has been appointed to the post of Chairman of the CED, while, Bijul Bishwakarma, Bishnu Pathak, Nara Kumari Gurung and Aai Bahadur Gurung as members, said Law Minister Narahari Acharya. The tenure of the newly appointed chairmen and the members would be of two years and might be extended by one year if they are unable to complete their assigned tasks within two years, Minister Acharya added.

UCPN-M senior leader Baburam Bhattarai, addressing a press conference organized by the Revolutionary Journalists Association in Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur District, has said that the new constitution could be issued only on the consensus among the four major forces. Bhattarai said consensus has become elusive because the leadership of the NC and CPN-UML were averse to institutionalizing the change. He called on the ruling parties to put on hold the process if it was not possible for them to scrap the Proposal Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly altogether. Bhattarai said the opposition alliance could sit for dialogue or talks if the NC and CPN-UML or the PM issued another public statement addressing the alliance´s new demand, describing the PM´s last statement as lacking concreteness.

Addressing the 24th anniversary of the CIAA in Kathmandu, President Ram Baran Yadav expressed his hope that political parties would resolve the current political stalemate to produce a new constitution very soon. He also urged the ruling and the opposition parties to show flexibility and sit for talks as early as possible. Stating that CIAA´s recent efforts at controlling corruption has made a positive impact, the president expressed hope that the anti-graft body would keep up its spirit in the days to come as well. The president also suggested that the CIAA should be careful while prosecuting people involved in corruption.

President Ram Baran Yadav urged Chairman of CA Subas Chandra Nembang to play a role for creating conducive environment to bring the political parties into consensus. President advised Nembang, who reached President Yadav?s official residence this morning, to go ahead with consensus after forging common understandings among the political parties, said Lalit Basnet, President?s personal aide.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has warned of running a parallel government at the center if the ruling parties move ahead with the process of bringing a majority-based constitution. Addressing a program organized to announce a joint youth volunteer force, Dahal said he would ask the UN and the international community as to which government is a legitimate one after forming a parallel government at the center. Accusing the ruling NC and CPN-UML of going against the spirit of past accords and the peace process, Dahal claimed that his party would set up a force of one million youth volunteers after February 28.

UCPN-M Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that his party is in favor of a multiple-identity-based federal system that empowers people at the local level. Speaking at a function in Taplejung, Vice-chairman Shrestha said that the UCPN-M is against a single-identity federal structure. "We can carve out federal provinces on multiple-identity basis such as Mechi-Limbuwan-Purbi Pradesh. It is impossible to have a constitution that calls for the creation of single-identity federal structure in Nepal which is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country," Shrestha said while elaborating the federal province model of his party. He claimed that the UCPN-M is ready to sit for talks if ruling parties come up with an agreeable solution to constitution drafting.

NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the constitution will be drafted at any cost despite the reluctance of the UCPN-M. He accused the UPCN-M of not wanting constitution as they failed to draft the constitution when they were at the helm of the government in the first CA and also have been obstructing the constitution drafting process in the second CA too. As the UCPN-M does not seem to have the intention of bringing the constitution, the constitution will be drafted through majority basis if the [Maoists] do not come for consensus, Deuba said. Speaking at a ceremony organised to unveil the statue of Harka Bahadur Rai at Chispani in Khotang, Deuba said the NC has been making efforts to bring the Maoists on board the main stream politics as they are diverging towards non-political line.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda speaking on the occasion of 20th anniversary of Maoist People?s War at UCPN-M party office in Paris Dada in Kathmandu, called his party cadres to move ahead adopting the path of revolt, revolution and struggle. He has stressed on the need to protect the Maoist agitation by learning from their past mistake and said that it was time to wake up in order to protect the achievements obtained so far. ?We have roused after January 22,? said Dahal, ?we are ready to make any kind of sacrifices.?Dahal said, ?Even if the Prachanda and Baburam (Baburam Bhattarai) were perished, Maoist struggle will resurrect from the grave.?

UCPN-M Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that the nation will head towards a severe confrontation if the constitution could not be drafted through CA. Talking to journalists Ilam in Ilam District, leader Shrestha pointed out that the nation would fall prey to a grave disaster if the parties inside the CA do not work in agreement.  Shrestha remarked that the parties inside the CA should have basic unity as separatists and religious extremists, among other threats, have started emerging. Making it clear that the UCPN-M is not against dialogues and consensus, Shrestha said the ruling parties should assure them (opposition) of stopping the majority vote process.

UCPN-M has formed a volunteer force in Sunsari District avowedly to retaliate against possible suppression of their protest activities. Organizing a press meet on the occasion of the 20th ?people´s war? day, Maoist ?central committee? member Ram Kumari Chaudhari informed about the formation of the volunteers´ force and its week-long campaign.

The CPN-Maoist has launched the Mechi-Mahakali Campaign aimed at strengthening the party organisation and building what it said a ground for fresh agitation. Party Chairman Mohan Baidya formally announced the launching of the campaign from Basantapur in Sunsari District on the occasion of ´20th People´s War Day´. The campaign will go nationwide, according to the party. On the occasion, Baidya said the party agitation would continue until objectives of the people´s war were achieved. There was no alternative to revolutionary parties to unite to materialise the dream of people´s war. He urged the UCPN-M to leave the CA and come to the street if it desired to go for an agitation.

During a press conference in Janakpur in Kathmandu, MJF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav has claimed that the street protests of the opposition parties will destroy the arrogance of the ruling parties. ?Constitution cannot be promulgated by sidelining the 30-party alliance,? He said. ?Our protest programmes will destroy their egos,? he added. Yadav put forth the condition of dissolving the questionnaire committee to sit for talks with the ruling parties. ?No talks are possible without the dissolution,? he said.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has expressed his confidence that the new constitution would be promulgated on the basis of a consensus, despite some differences among the political parties. Speaking at a programme organised by the ACORAB in Kathmandu, he said that the parties should reach to a consensus for the interest of the country.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang has asked the political parties and civil society members to strive for concrete results with regard to ending the ongoing political stalemate. Nembang, who deferred the CA meeting until further notice upon request from the opposition parties, told a group of civil society members that at least the major political forces should resume talks and make tangible progress within a few days to expedite the constitution making process.

At an interaction program in Salleri in Solukhumbu District, Treasurer of UCPN-M and lawmaker Haribol Gajurel warned that the 30-party opposition alliance will stage a ´decisive´ agitation after February 28 deserting the CA. He said that the announced agitation programs would not postpone until the ruling parties were flexible for consensus. He also accused the ruling NC and CPN-UML of disturbing the environment for consensus, considering that the Maoist party would take credit of constitution promulgation. He added the opposition would run a parallel CA after February 28 if the NC and CPN-UML moved ahead based on majoritarian process.

Addressing a programme at the party headquarters in Kathmandu, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that the presence of supporters on the street would determine the party's future direction in national politics. Dahal said the ruling parties would start the voting process in the CA if there was a small number of people and cadres at the planned mass meetings of the alliance of Maoist, Madhesi and Janajati parties.

The leaders of different political parties have reiterated that the government and the opposition parties must return to the negotiating table to end the deadlock facing the constitution drafting process. The participating leaders, at an interaction programme held at Reporters Club in Kathmandu, said lack of cooperation and confidence among the parties have prolonged the deadlock.

Speaking at a press conference organised by UCPN-M-aligned Revolutionary Journalists Association, Surkhet in Kathmandu, UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai ruled out the possibility of resuming talks with the ruling parties unless the ongoing process to draft constitution on majority basis is scrapped. Bhattarai said that the constitution must be issued from the CA with participation of the parties that signed the peace agreements.

MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has made it clear that the 30-party alliance would not sit for dialogue until assurances from the ruling parties. At a press conference organised by Dhanusha Chapter of MJF-L, Chairperson Gachhadar accused the ruling coalition of opting for promulgating a new constitution brushing aside the path of consensus on the backing of majority against the past agreements and understandings.

CA Chief Subas Nembang hinted at resuming the CA business if there is no headway in restarting stalled dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties.

Ajra announced to resume its protest while extending its 'conditional support' to the UCPN-M-led 30-party alliance.

UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai accused the ruling parties, NC and CPN-UML, of demonstrating their arrogance in the name of drafting new constitution.

Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh said that the ongoing process for new constitution in the CA would not be scrapped at any cost.

Fringe parties outside the CA announced the 'revival' of the 33-party alliance to struggle for a consensus-based constitution and decided to launch a mass rally in Kathmandu on March 9, to ensure consensus-driven consensus.

To protest against the ruling parties' decision to initiate the voting process on disputed issues of constitution writing, the 30-party alliance led by UCPN-M is organising rallies across the country on February 21. The first phase of protest will continue until February 28 when the alliance will hold a mass meeting in Kathmandu. The second phase of the protest will conclude on March 29 before the alliance launches what they call "decisive movement" from March 30.

UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai accused the NC and CPN-UML of trying to revive the 1990 constitution.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala renewed his call to the opposition alliance, led by UCPN-M, to withdraw its agitation and return to talks while assuring that the new constitution would be promulgated as per the spirit of the Interim Constitution.

The Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist has "started groundwork" to assemble members of the former PLA and YCL to form "an active army of civilians". The party, which earlier this month decided to transform itself into a full-fledged "militant party", plans to recruit people with prior military experience to start with. The party has also issued a circular to its leaders and cadres to carry out activities in "semi-underground" style.

UCPN-M senior leader Baburam Bhattarai talking to journalists in Jajarkot District refuted the allegations levelled against him that he ruined the talks.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda while addressing a cadres' training organised in Lalitpur District said that the process for talks could not move ahead as PM Sushil Koirala has not expressed any commitment to stop the majority process even if he called the opposition alliance for talks twice. Dahal stressed that the NC and CPN-UML have to become active like the Prime Minister for talks.

In the run-up to a mass demonstration scheduled by the 30-party alliance led by the UCPN-M for February 28, lathi-wielding cadres of YCL, the youth wing of UCPN-M marched in Kathmandu in what they called a show of strength and a prelude to a ?decisive movement?. Sporting red caps and carrying lathis, YCL cadres in thousands started their rally from Bhrikutmandap and passed through Shahid Gate, Ratna Park, Jamal, Kamaladi and Putalisadak before converging again at the point of origin.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala speaking in a programme in Kathmandu said that there is no meaning in launching an agitation, violence and other protest programmes as all political parties are already incorporated into the mainstream of democracy.

Following the YCL, the youth wing of UCPN-M, demonstration in Kathmandu on February 24, the Ministry of Home Affairs warned the agitators against terrorizing the public. Home Ministry spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said ?Terrorizing people in the name of demonstration is strictly prohibited.? If Police find protestors wielding bamboo staves in any demonstration, such protestors would be immediately arrested, he said.

CPN-Maoist-Baidya chairman Mohan Baidya said that discussions were underway for a joint agitation with the 30-party alliance. Baidya said his party was supporting the agitation launched by the Alliance. He also urged the UCPN-M to come to street by denouncing the CA.

NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said there is no need to raise batons and hit the streets in order to forge consensus. He urged the opposition alliance to give up their agitation and join the talks saying that no efforts would be successful by showing sticks in the streets.

Chairman of the UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that NC and CPN-UML are attempting to repeal the CPA and push the country towards a serious crisis. Dahal urged the ruling parties to clarify their position on the peace deal and other past agreements. He warned of launching a revolt if the ruling parties flout the past agreements which, he said, has laid the foundation of new constitution.

The UCPN-M-led 30-party opposition alliance during a press conference claimed that around 200,000 party leaders and supporters would be joining forces in their show of strength in Kathmandu on February 28. Party insiders said that UCPN-M alone have pledged to bring in more than 100,000 people, with other fringe parties assuring 15,000 each.

The NHRC urged the opposition parties to keep their demonstration in Kathmandu peaceful and drawn the attention of the law enforcement agencies toward ensuring public security during the protest.  

The UCPN-M led 30-party alliance begun rallies from different parts of Kathmandu. UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal led the rally at Kamalpokhari, while senior leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai at Kalimati and Vice-Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha at Koteshwar. Similarly, top leaders of the Madhes-based parties have led the rallies at Babarmahal. The rallies also emanated from Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The rallies would merge at Khulamanch before a programme, which would be addressed by the top leaders of the alliance.

Around 30,000 protesters staged a demonstration during a rally organized by the 30-party alliance of the opposition parties to demand that political parties reach a consensus on a new constitution. Police lobbed teargas shells and used cane batons to stop demonstrators from advancing to the parliament building, leaving more than a dozen people injured, witnesses said.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala turned down the demand of the opposition alliance to dissolve Questionnaire Committee formed by the CA as a condition to resume the stalled talks between ruling and opposition parties. 

Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the opposition parties were ready to sit for talks if the ruling parties ensured the environment to promulgate the new constitution on the basis of a political consensus.  

Conflicting views in the UCPN-M about resuming formal talks with the ruling parties have placed party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda in a tight spot. Senior leader Baburam Bhattarai says the party should not sit for talks until the ruling coalition agrees to scrap the ongoing majority process in the CA and return the disputed issues of constitution writing to the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee that he leads.

Threatening to walk out of the Government if the NC is not ready to push the ongoing majority process of constitution writing, the ruling CPN-UML decided to mount pressure on the largest party to proceed with the CA process.

Ruling parties NC and CPN-UML during a meeting in Kathmandu decided to urge CA Chairman Subas Nembang to resume the stalled CA process. Both the parties also asked the UCPN-M-led alliance to sit for talks without further delay.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that it would be difficult to forge consensus on disputed issues in constitution making if the opposition alliance is forced to launch second phase of protests.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda met PM Sushil Koirala and urged him to prepare ground for formal talks between the ruling and the opposition parties.

UCPN-M leader Agni Prasad Sapkota speaking during a programme in Kathmandu said that his party is ready to seek public opinion on the disputed five Districts Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur regarding their annexation to which federal state in the new constitution.

Major parties resumed formal talks ending the country?s long standing political deadlock at PM Sushil Koirala?s official residence in Kathmandu. The disgruntled opposition parties decided to sit for talks following the PM Koirala?s verbal commitment to draft the constitution through consensus.

CPN-UML Assistant General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal at press meet in Myagdi District claimed that new constitution would be promulgated by May 29. He said that constitution would be promulgated on maximum consensus as the ongoing talks between the ruling and opponent parties were positive.

At a news conference in Lamki in Kailali District, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Prakashman Singh said that the new constitution would be promulgated through consensus.

PM Sushil Koirala has said that an environment conducive for drafting the constitution through consensus is being created. PM Koirala urged the UCPN-M led opposition alliance to take this opportunity and lend support for drafting the new constitution. PM Koirala, who held discussions with UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, has been continuing parleys with other leaders as well.

The UCPN-M objected to a recent verdict of the SC that prohibits the Commissions of Inquiry on TRC, and Enforced Disappearances from looking into cases sub judice in court. UCPN-M said that all war-era cases should be handed over to the newly formed commissions.

The SC has issued a mandamus order to the government to form a Madhesi Commission. The apex court issued the ruling in a writ filed by advocate Sanilranjan Singh demanding the Madhesi Commission. A division bench of Justice Girish Chandra Lal and Justice Dipakraj Joshi issued the order to the government to enact appropriate laws in order to address the empowerment of Madhesi community and to ensure their equal rights.

The opposition alliance led by UCPN-M, deferred the announcement of its second phase of protest programmes which was scheduled to declare another round of stir on March 10. They have decided to wait till March 14 for the ruling parties to initiate dialogue.

Talking to media persons in Chitwan in Kathmandu, NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel said the opposition parties should cooperate with the ruling parties to forge consensus. He urged the opposition alliance to hold intra-party discussions.

Inaugurating the eighth District council of Kanchanpur District Development Committee in Kanchanpur, NC senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said the 601 lawmakers elected as the people's representatives should go for process if the disputed issues of the new constitution remain in limbo due to lack of consensus. Deuba urged everyone to stay assured that the new constitution would be promulgation through the CA.

Describing the current lapse of protests as ?temporary ceasefire?, UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai has said consensus among the political parties on the disputed issues of the new constitution would be hard to build in the near future. Bhattarai said both Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had not been taking concrete measures to make cross-party talks meaningful. In a meeting with select journalists at his residence in Sanepa, Bhattarai charged that the ruling parties were not responding to their repeated calls for dialogue and consensus.

The CPN-Maoist?s plan to revive the 33-party alliance for another round of protest has suffered a setback after several parties withdrew their support in favour of the UCPN-M led opposition bloc. Several fringe parties previously associated with the alliance, spearheaded by the Mohan Baidya -led CPN-Maoist, have joined the bloc under the leadership of UCPN-M, while many other parties have shown reluctance to launch another round of protest, citing obscure position of CPN-Maoist regarding the CA.

NC and CPN-UML during a meeting of the ruling parties held at the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's official residence in Kathmandu decided to hold 'decisive talks' with the 30-party alliance led by UCPN-M by March 13. They concluded that they would not wait the opposition alliance for a long period in the name of consensus. The parties also decided to resume talks regarding issues of the constitution from the point the parleys between the ruling and the opposition parties derailed on January 19.

A meeting of senior leaders of NC and UCPN-M agreed to seek accord on key contentious issues of the new constitution before March 15.

The ruling and opposition parties started fresh negotiations to seek consensus on the disputed issues with a view to wrapping up the prolonged constitution writing process by May 29, 2015, the Republic Day. Before sitting for formal negotiations on the disputes, mainly the names and borders of Federal States, the parties held discussions in two groups. Top leaders from both the fronts reviewed their previous positions and discussed possible ways to arrive at a conclusion.

The alliance of 30 opposition parties led by UCPN-M unveiled its second phase of protests to press the ruling parties to draft the new constitution through consensus. A meeting of the alliance convened, finalised programmes for its second phase of protests starting from March 19 to April 9. The programmes include mass assembly, demonstration, sit-in and general strike. UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda will announce the decision about their protests at a press meet.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala?s request, to UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal not to announce protest programmes went futile after the opposition parties declared their second phase of agitation.

The UCPN-M and CPN-Maoist have taken initiatives for party unification two years and nine months after they split. In a bid to give momentum to the unification of the two parties, CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya visited UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's residence in Lazimpat. The meeting decided to take ahead the unification process in an organised manner, UCPN-M General Secretary Krishna Bahadur Mahra said.

RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa said that there is no alternative except the adoption of two-thirds majority to promulgate the new constitution. He was speaking at a programme organised by FNJ, Saptari chapter, Rajbiraj in Saptari District. "As long as RPP-N remains in the Constituent Assembly (CA), political parties cannot draft the constitution through any measures other than the two-thirds majority," Chairman Thapa said, adding, "It is because our party cannot accept secularism, federalism and republican order. Therefore, the decision should be made through voting."

A meeting of NC and CPN-UML, decided to make maximum efforts to settle disputes with the opposition alliance in consensus. "The opposition alliance's announcement for further protests is a wrong decision. We decided to urge them to withdraw the protest program," CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Paudel said. "We will also employ all efforts to bring them back to the CA and resume the stalled CA procedures soon."

Stating that ruling parties' unilateral push for majority-based constitution making process has left them with no choice, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda instructed lawmakers from his party to be prepared for resigning from the CA en masse at anytime. Addressing an informal meeting of party central committee at party office at Koteshwar, Dahal said finding a meeting point with the ruling sides was not possible while they insist on majority-based process for new constitution.

Concluding that the UCPN-M led opposition alliance is in a dilemma over enforcing the second round of protests, the ruling NC decided to take talks and the voting process on disputed issues in the CA side by side. A meeting of top NC leaders held in the presence of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, decided to keep the door for negotiations open and press the CA chairman to push the Assembly proceedings forward for deciding the contentious issues of statute drafting.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang urged top leaders of the major political forces to invest another week to make consensus efforts. In a strongly-worded speech over the lack of progress in the constitution writing, Nembang told the top leaders during a meeting in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, that he would resume the majority course if there is no consensus within March 25.

The UCPN-M started approaching senior leaders of the ruling parties involved in the peace process, asking them to facilitate consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution writing process. The opposition has often said that problems have exacerbated as the current leadership of the NC and the CPN-UML fails to grasp the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, met senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, asking him to increase his role in the drafting of the new constitution.

Speaking at a program organized by Siraha chapter of the RPP-N in Lahan, Chairman Kamal Thapa said the nation would have to face the huge political setback the major political parties did not become serious regarding the current political impasse. The political situation would go out of the control of the political parties if it was not settled in time.

Addressing the national conference of lawyers at Ratna Nagar, Chitwan, President Ram Baran Yadav expressed serious disappointment at the political leaders' failure to deliver a new constitution. He, however, wished that the new constitution would see the light of the day soon enough.

Talking to the media persons at Biratnagar Airport, Morang District, UCPN-M vice-chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the constitution drafting process would not be complete without consensus. Shrestha said the constitution drafting process would be incomplete if the major partner of the peace process and different movements was kept in isolation.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang asked the leaders of major political parties to expedite negotiations on the disputed issues of constitution writing to keep the March 25 deadline. He is of the view that consensus is still possible if the parties sit for the talks and adopt flexibility.

CPN-UML Vice Chairperson Bidhya Bhandari claimed that the new constitution will be issued on the Republic Day, May 29. Speaking at a press meet organised in Hetauda, Makwanpur District, leader Bhandari said the ruling parties-NC and CPN-UML- were waiting for a consensus to be forged with the opposition alliance. She remarked that the ruling parties, however, were considering releasing the constitution on the Republic Day if consensus could not be forged on the republic day.

The UCPN-M formed a working alliance with five of its splinter parties to oppose the SC verdict that curtails the jurisdiction of the newly formed TRC and the CIED to look into cases sub judice in court. A joint meeting held at the CPN-Maoist office in Buddhanagar, announced the alliance concluding that the ruling parties had breached the CPA and the Interim Constitution by "not following the statute and the CPA in their true spirit".

As constitution writing is deadlocked, President Ram Baran Yadav increased his effort to get the major parties together to settle the contentious issues of the new statute by pressing the parties to choose consensus over voting in the CA to decide the disputed issues.

President Ram Baran Yadav and UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held meeting at the President's official residence in Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu in which President Yadav said that the new constitution should be promulgated through consensus on time. He also stressed on the need of consensus among political parties for the same.

CPN-Masal General Secretary Mohan Bikram Singh during a press meet organised by Pyuthan chapter of Pragatishil Patrakar Sangh at Khalanga, said that the UCPN-M should accept the CA process as the political situation is deteriorating further. He alleged the UCPN-M of rejecting the majority voting process in order to draft a constitution favourable to them.

UCPN-M proposed the continuation of efforts to seek consensus on the disputed issues, arguing that following the majority process of constitution writing or enforcing more street protests would both be counterproductive. In separate meetings with the NC and CPN-UML, Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai asked the ruling parties to persuade their leadership about the need for consensus.

As leaders from the major political forces make no progress in settling disputes on the constitution-making front, CA Chairman Subas Nembang is preparing to resume the stalled CA proceedings in the next couple of days.

Police arrested five students of the ANNISU-R, student wing of UCPN-M, identified as Kshitiz Sapkota, Laxmi Prasad Subedi, Netra Chapagain, Dinesh Poudel and Bishal Gurung for pelting stones at Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat's vehicle at Simpane in Pokhara in Kaski District.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang granted the parties four more days to reach a consensual settlement on the disputed issues of constitution writing on the request of President Ram Baran Yadav. The cross-party negotiations, however, are yet to find a common ground on key disputed issues. If there is no agreement by March 29, 2015, Nembang said he will have no choice but to initiate majority process in the CA and settle the contentions through voting.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala claimed that maximum flexibility has been adopted to write a new constitution based on consensus among all stakeholders. But he also did not rule out the situation in which a majority process would be used in the CA to settle the disputes concerning constitution writing through voting.

The Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist, and Pari Thapa-led CPN (Unified) moved a step closer to unity by forming an eight member Party Unity Coordination Committee. Baidya and Thapa issued a joint release and said they decided to form the committee after reaching understanding on Marxism, Leninism, Maoism, people's democracy, people's revolt, democratic centralism and immediate working strategies.

In a press statement, Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam urged the UCPN-M led alliance of 30 opposition parties to call off their protest programme and come to the negotiating table for talks. The Home Minister said "In my capacity as the Home Minister, I request the opposition alliance, including the UCPN-M, to give up their agitation programmes, if not, cancel, at least, the stick rally, torch rally, obstruction of Government offices and three-day general strike.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang while addressing a programme organized by the CA Secretariat in Kathmandu urged Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to play a pro-active role for cross-party negotiations in order to resolve the contentious issues of the constitution drafting process through a broader consensus.

Senior leader of the UCPN-M former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai speaking at an interaction in Kaski District proposed a middle way solution for ending the current political deadlock centered on the majority-based constitution-writing process. Stating that a middle way can be found between the majority-process and the street protest, Bhattarai said "We are for a middle way solution for ending the standoff. Although we are very close to agreement on the contentious issues of the constitution, a few things remain to be resolved. We don't want people to suffer the impact of strikes, but the ruling parties do not understand any other language."

Nepal Government decided to provide remaining NPR 500,000 each to conflict victims out of NPR 1 million each promised by the Baburam Bhattarai-led Government. Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal said the Cabinet agreed to provide compensation due to the kin of those who died and disappeared during the conflict without exceeding Rs 500,000.

42 people were injured when sporadic clashes erupted between the agitating activists of 30-party alliance-led by UCPN-M and Police in different parts of the country. In Kavre District, 12 protestors and five Policemen were injured in clashes between Police and demonstrators. In Chitwan District, seven people including two Policemen were injured after Police tried to intervene opposition alliance agitation at Bharatpur. In Rupandehi District nine protestors were injured in a clash with the Police at Bhairahwa. In Rautahat District, six protestors and two Policemen were injured in a clash that occurred at Gaur. In Sindhuli District, DSP Shyam Kumar Mahato, who is also the DPO chief, was injured in a clash with agitating party activists.

41 people were injured in clashes between Police and demonstrators during the lathi rally organised by the 30-party alliance-led by UCPN-M across the country. In Pokhara District, 18 persons including three Policemen were injured when a clash erupted between Police and demonstrators at New Road. In Sindhuli District, seven protestors and one Policeman were injured when cadres of the alliance clashed with Police at Sindhulimadhi. In Chitwan District, six demonstrators were injured in a clash ensued when Police intervened against agitators who were protesting with lathis at Pulchowk. In Kabhrepalanchok District, four UCPN-M cadres and a minor were injured in a clash at Chardobato. In Rautahat District, three protestors and one Policeman were injured in a clash in Gaur.

After the parties failed to find consensus on the contentious issues of constitution writing, a meeting of the CA has been called on April 6. The latest time frame served by CA Chairman Subas Nembang for the ruling and opposition parties to build accord on the contents of the constitution being drafted expired on March 29. After announcing the date, Nembang said the parties still have the time to seek accord on the disputed agendas if they try in earnest.

The UCPN-M -led alliance of 30 opposition parties called off its agitation programmes other than the three-day general strike called for April (7-9). But the opposition front has decided to boycott the CA meeting summoned for April 6 unless the ruling parties commit to consensus-based constitution. A meeting of the opposition alliance decided to withdraw its agitation programmes such as picketing government offices, blockade of entry points and obstruction of tax collection and focus on general strike of April 7-9.

NC Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel speaking at a training programme of NC leaders and cadres in Myagdi District said that the demonstration of sticks on the streets by the cadres of UCPN-M-led 30-party opposition alliance will not write the Constitution.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda told Central Committee members and CA members at an emergency meeting in Kathmandu that a minor blow wouldn't have any effect on NC and CPN-UML and therefore they needed to go for a stronger movement. During the briefing, he said the change in the previous plan was made with a view to strengthen the internal party structure so as to make necessary preparations for the three-day nationwide strike from April 7-9 and to keep some space for official talks if the ruling parties wished.

CA Chairman Subash Nembang urged the political parties publicly to conclude the ongoing constitution drafting process through consensus as quickly as possible. Taking part at an interaction on "import replacement and cooperative for social justice", organised by the National Cooperative Federation of Nepal on the occasion of 58th National Cooperative Day in Lalitpur, Nembang, however, hoped that political parties would hammer out the disputes over the constitution-drafting soon and lead the country to right track. He pledged to incorporate the issues concerning cooperative in the new constitution.

The UCPN-M refuted the accusation that party politburo member Prabhu Shah moblised a racket for the murder of party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. In a press statement, UCPN-M spokesperson Dinanath Sharma refuted the accusation and said an investigation would be launched against the leaders including lawmaker Ashok Jaiswal who made the accusation.

Taking strong exception to the recent SC verdict (February 26) on transitional justice mechanisms, UCPN-M led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist, Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-M, Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist, Mani Thapa-led RCP and Pari Thapa-led CPN (Unified) have decided to stage joint protest campaign seeking its review. The six Maoist parties have also decided to submit a memorandum to the prime minister on April 3 and stage joint rally across the country on April 6 against the SC verdict.

UCPN-M sought revision of the nine-point joint proposal forwarded by NC and CPN-UML in line with the January19 understanding between parties as a way out of the current political stalemate. Talking to journalists at the parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, and UCPN-M Chief Whip Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel said consensus has become illusive as ruling parties continue to stick to their nine-point proposal. The ruling NC and CPN-UML had forwarded a nine-point joint proposal to the CPDCC of the CA on November 3 as their first move toward bringing majority-based constitution.

General Secretary of the NC Krishna Prasad Sitaula speaking at a press meeting in Damak in Jhapa District, said that the political parties would work together to promulgate the new democratic constitution through the second CA. Hinting towards the opposition parties' protest, Sitaula said the street protest announced by the 30-party alliance led by the UCPN-M has no meaning at all for the constitution could not be written at the force of street protests rather it should be written by forging consensus. Sitaula urged the UCPN-M not to disrespect the public mandate and be serious to write constitution as desired by the public.

Six Maoist parties including the UCPN-M, submitting a joint memorandum to PM Sushil Koirala at his residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, said that the recent SC verdict on transitional justice was against the spirit of peace accord. The leaders of the six Maoist parties-who were a major party to the conflict-demanded immediate nullification of the SC's verdict, release of those arrested on charges of war-era cases, and enforcement of legal provision for reconciliation in war-era political cases. The SC ruling has barred the commissions--TRC and CED - from initiating reconciliation on their own without victims' consent.

In a meeting between two leaders, PM Sushil Koirala urged UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda to agree on initiating the constitution drafting process by incorporating issues resolved so far and continue discussions on unresolved issues such as the model of federalism. PM Koirala tried to convince Dahal, on starting the CA proceedings and eventually voting over disputed issues of the new constitution. PM Koirala suggested the Maoist-led opposition front to shun protest programmes.

NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula claimed that Sushil Koirala-led government would continue until the promulgation of the new constitution. At a news conference organised by Nepal Press Union, Morang, at Biratnagar, Kathmandu, Sitaula expressed the view that different political parties including the UCPN-M have been misinterpreting the term 'consensus'. He further said that it was necessary to hold discussion among the major political parties after focusing on the issue of constitution writing, saying the new constitution would not be promulgated as per the interest of a single party.

UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai accused the ruling parties, NC and CPN-UML, of holding the CA hostage, and added there is no point in attending the CA that has been held hostage. Speaking at a press meet organised in Baglung District by Baglung chapter of revolutionary journalists, Bhattarai said his party would not participate in the CA unless consensus is forged on the disputed issues of constitution drafting. He made it clear that his party would not, at any cost, agree on the agenda of those intending to promulgate the new constitution by putting the federalism on back burner.

The government has urged the UCPN-M led opposition bloc to agree on preparing the draft of the new constitution by incorporating the issues resolved so far and continue discussions on federalism, instead of staging protests. In his recent meetings with opposition leaders, PM Sushil Koirala urged the parties to withdraw their scheduled protest programme as it could spoil the environment for consensus on the disputed agendas. PM Koirala held meetings with UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar on April 5 and April 6, respectively. During the meetings, Koirala assured them of flexibility on the names and borders of federal provinces if they roll back their scheduled protests.

The UCPN-M led 30-opposition parties decided to go ahead with its three-day nationwide general shutdown, beginning on April 7. A meeting of the alliance convened at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu decided to make their general strike a success despite calls from several quarters to cancel their agitation programmes.

The UCPN-M, along with its five splinters, took out a rally demanding nullification of a recent verdict of the SC that curbs the jurisdiction of the transitional justice mechanism. Addressing a gathering at Shanti Batika in Kathmandu, Maoist leaders warned of abandoning the peace process and reviving the disbanded PLA.

As many as twenty persons, including eight SF personnel, sustained injuries in clashes erupted during the first day of the three-day (April 7 ? 9) Banda called by UCPN-M led alliance of 30 political parties in various parts of Kathmandu Valley. Banda enforcers clashed with Police in Kavre during a torch rally organised by the alliance. Eight Police personnel, including an inspector, and 12 banda enforcers were injured. In Bhairahawa, banda supporters set ablaze a motorcycle with Indian registration in the morning. Police said the cadres fled the scene after torching the two-wheeler (UP 56 J-2707) at Barmaili Tole.

Four protesters in Bhojpur were seriously hurt and were referred to Kathmandu for treatment. At least 19 vehicles were vandalised while banda enforcers set ablaze four vehicles, according to Police. Police held 55 banda enforcers from across the country on the first day of the banda. Police also detained 16 Maoist leaders including party?s Kathmandu committee Chairman Himal Sharma. Kathmandu District Secretary Renu Dahal, ANNISU-R, student wing of UCPN-M, leader Surendra Basnet, among others, were detained at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Tinkune. They were released in the evening.

Cadres of the opposition alliance gathered at major thoroughfares in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Saptari, Bhojpur and Panchthar, among other Districts, shutting down marketplaces and halting vehicular movement.

In Saptari, party cadres and banda supporters vandalised a motorcycle belonging to the District Public Health Office while stones were pelted at the Land Revenue Office.

In Jhapa, the Mechi Municipality office was vandalised, causing a loss of property worth NPR 100,000.

Effects of the shutdown were felt in Udaypur, Gulmi, Myagdi and Kaski Districts as markets were closed and vehicles garaged.

In Pokhara, five vehicles were vandalised for defying the call. Police said three buses and two trucks faced the wrath of party cadres at Sainikbasti and Prithivi Chowk. Police made seven arrests for vandalism.

The strike had no effect in Mustang District where vehicles ran as usual. The market also remained open. The alliance had called off the strike in Taplejung District in view of the recent fire that destroyed 35 houses and displaced 90 families.

The UCPN-M led alliance of 30 political parties, decided to call off its general strike planned for April 8 and April 9. A meeting of the alliance convened at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, shortly after announcing the end of strike at 5 pm on the first day of the three-day general strike made the decision to this effect.

Dahal told the media that the strike was withdrawn following calls from several quarters. Upendra Yadav of the MJF, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato and Federal Socialist Party Nepal Chairman Ashok Rai had pressed for enforcing the banda for two more days. Dahal was supported by MJF-L chief Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar in calling off the strike. Some in the alliance had even proposed an indefinite strike but Dahal said the people would retaliate against such a move. In a meeting with a team from the FNCCI earlier, Dahal had pledged to table a proposal in the 30-party meeting for withdrawing the banda. This brings to end the opposition?s second phase of agitation. Alliance leaders said they will soon unveil the third phase of protests.

The parties had called a three-day closure demanding that the new constitution should be written on the basis of consensus among the key stakeholders of the peace process. The opposition decision has created an environment for talks with the ruling parties on the contentious issues of the constitution writing process. The CA meeting has been postponed for a week to provide time for the parties to discuss the agenda.

Chairman of CA Subas Nembang, urged the major parties to end the logjam in constitution drafting before the next CA meeting, scheduled for April 13.

The UCPN-M party asked PM Sushil Koirala to take an initiative to end the present political impasse between ruling and opposition parties. UCPN-M General Secretary Krishna Bahadur Mahara who called on the PM Koirala, at the latter's residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, said that he had conveyed his party's decision in the meeting.

President Ram Baran Yadav and CA Chairman Subas Nembang are pressing both the ruling and opposition parties to forge consensus on key issues of new constitution before April 13 CA meeting. The meeting is likely to start a voting process on disputed issues if the parties fail to reach consensus. President Yadav met CPN-UML Chair KP Oli and Vice-president Bidhya Bhandari to consult on the statute drafting process and asked Oli to give priority to consensus over voting process to resolve the contentious issues of new constitution.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda expressed optimism over reaching consensus with the ruling parties on key contentious issues of new constitution. The main opposition party leader maintained that consensus is possible if the ruling parties respect the past agreements, especially the CPA.

In a bid to end the current deadlock situation seen at the CA, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CA Chairman Subas Nembang held a discussion at latter?s quarter at Baluwatar. Chairman Nembang had drawn the Dahal?s attention to hold a meaningful dialogue with the ruling parties to forge consensus prior to the CA meet.

Chairman of the CA Subas Chandra Nembang said the process for the promulgation of the new constitution would be forwarded if political parties failed to forge consensus within April 13. At a programme organised by the Koirala Sewa Samaj Nepal in Kathmandu, Chairman Nembang said that there was no alternative to forward the process as per the rule of the CA if political parties failed to forge consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution or the due process within the next three days.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said the disputed issues of constitution writing--federalism, forms of government, judiciary and electoral system-- should be settled simultaneously. The Maoist party will not accept piecemeal solution, Dahal told CA Chairman Subas Nembang in a meeting in Kathmandu.

PM Sushil Koirala and CA Chairman Subas Nembang held discussion on the efforts being made for promulgating the constitution through consensus. The meeting held at the latter's office, focused on reviewing the consensus efforts and the steps to be taken for meaningful talks.

The ruling NC and CPN- UML have agreed to come up with a concrete work plan to complete the constitution drafting process. The meeting of the top leaders from the two parties, decided to set a target to complete the remaining tasks of constitution drafting.

In an interaction programme of Reporter?s Club in Kathmandu, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said that the Madhes-based parties will not participate in the meeting of the 30-party alliance as the relevance of the front has ended. Mahato claimed that Madhesi people will not be able to secure their rights through the alliance.

The meeting of the CA has been postponed until next week to provide time for the parties to settle contentious issues of constitution-writing in consensus. The CA meeting was adjourned after passing a condolence proposal on the demise of former parliamentarian Salim Miya Ansari. The Assembly is now scheduled to meet on April 19. Chairman Subas Nembang decided to provide one week of extra time after the major parties claimed that they were close to consensus on key issues of the new constitution.

PM Sushil Koirala inaugurating Janajati Art and Cultural Festival at VDC Taksera in Rukum District said that the country would get a new constitution within the year 2072. He claimed that the Nepali New Year, which began on April 14, would be a year of constitution and peace for all Nepali people. Koirala claimed that the political parties within the CA have already agreed to issue new constitution through consensus and the constitution will be drafted soon. He also claimed that the differences between political parties are narrowing down and the constitution drafting process is heading toward consensus.

The UCPN-M said that it is ready to make a compromise on the issues of federalism if the ruling NC and CPN-UML agree to make more concessions on the electoral system. The main opposition party claims that it wants to conclude the statute drafting process as soon as possible if the ruling parties are ready for the inclusive and proportional representation of marginalised communities through a new electoral system.

Giving preference to negotiations over street protests, the Maoist leaders said they were not in a mood to announce the third phase of protest despite pressure on UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda from allies of the 30-party front to unveil the street protest.

SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato accused UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal aka Prachanda of betrayal and said, the Madhesi and the Janajati parties are forming a separate alliance. Speaking at 25th anniversary of his party, Mahato said there is a need of separate alliance as Dahal had failed to lead the protests to establish their demands effectively. Further, he said that the new alliance consist TMDP, MJFN and SP.

The UCPN-M said that it will raise objection to the process of constitution drafting through majority if the CA moves ahead by disregarding the opposition. The Maoist party made such reaction in the wake of the decision made by the ruling parties- NC and CPN-UML-to take the CA process ahead so as to promulgate the new constitution by mid July, if the consensus cannot be forged with the opposition parties.

The ruling NC and CPN-UML decided to send the agreed upon issues in constitution writing to the drafting committee of the CA if there is no agreement on issues concerning federalism at the three-party meeting scheduled for April 20 morning. A meeting held at PM Sushil Koirala's official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu morning also decided to continue negotiations on disputed issues of federalism while the CA's drafting committee prepares a draft of the new statute.

Three major political parties said they were closer to reaching an agreement over the disputes of the new Constitution and expect to resolve disputes within three days. With the UCPN-M agreeing to explore a previous understanding, the parties have agreed to prepare a draft of the new statute on the contentious issues they have already forged an understanding - model of governance, electoral system and judiciary. Meanwhile, they would try to reach consensus on the most entangled issue of all, federalism.

A group of activists belonging to Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Moist-Chand attacked and injured an advocate at his law firm in Nepalgunj-13, Banke. Claiming the responsibility, CPN-Moist-Chand district secretary Man Bahadur Rokaya said that the party took 'physical action' against Barma as he was found illegally acquiring land in the name of other people by producing fake documents.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang is learnt to have planned to send disputes in constitution making to the CA"s CPDCC and give it a few days to resolve them in consensus. Leaders from major political parties closely involved in interparty negotiations, however, said that the CA chairman also has an alternative plan if the CPDCC and leaders fail to settle the disputes in consensus.

Chairman of CA Subas Nembang said that the voting process would begin on April 30 if parties failed to reach consensus on contentious issues of new constitution. After having deferred the CA meeting for more than two months, Nembang made it clear at the CA meeting that he would move ahead as per the report submitted by Questionnaire Committee. However, again the CA meeting scheduled to be convened on April 23 has been put off for the next seven days, and the next meeting is slated for April 30 for the last time to forge consensus on the disputed issues of constitution writing as the CA's priority is still agreement.

The three major parties- NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M-had agreed on April 20 to initiate drafting process on already agreed upon issues and continue discussions on the disputed issues. Though parties are closer to consensus on judiciary, electoral system and form of government, they are yet to prepare a framework of agreement. According to cross-party leaders, they plan to prepare a draft if there is a final agreement on these issues and get back to discussions on federalism after a while.

CPN-UML senior leader Jhalanath Khanal ruled out any possibility of federalising country based on ethnic line. Inaugurating the party constituency-1 convention in Ilam District, leader Khanal warned that the country would plunge into disintegration if federal states were declared on the basis of ethnicity.

In an indication of mending rift in the alliance, leaders of the UCPN-M-led 30-party opposition bloc have reached an understanding to form a task force to deal with the ruling parties on constitution-writing. The team under Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara will take its shape when the meeting of the alliance scheduled for April 28 inducts members from the Madhesi and Janajati parties.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda refuted the rumors that he forged a separate deal with the CPN-UML and NC. Talking to journalists at his Lazimpat-based residence in Kathmandu, leader Dahal said no progress has been made towards agreement except the 'abstract commitment' for consensus during the bilateral meeting held before PM Koirala left for Indonesia.

Leaders from the ruling NC and CPN-UML responded positively to UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's proposal to prepare a draft of the new constitution by including both the federal models -- the one proposed by ruling coalition and the other floated by the UCPN-M led opposition camp.

Talking to a few journalists at his residence at Lazimpat in Kathmandu, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that his party is positive towards forging consensus on federalism, putting both the 7-province model of the ruling parties and the Maoist-proposed 10 province model in the draft new constitution and then going for public feedback. Dahal also said the constitution should not be promulgated without finalizing the major disputes over state-structuring.

Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh said the process of drafting the new constitution has been affected due to the devastating earthquake. "We will start deliberations on various issues of constitution drafting after a couple of weeks," he said, adding that the contentious issues will be dealt in by framing questionnaire and the disputed matter will be decided by majority votes. Deputy Prime Minister Singh said the government was hopeful of Nepal having a new constitution soon. "We will not allow anyone to use this national disaster to delay the drafting of the constitution, which is in its final stages," he said.

Four major parties, NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, signed a 16-point agreement on the key contentious issues including federalism, paving the way for promulgating a new Constitution. The deal signed by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar states that the country shall be federated into eight provinces on the basis of economic viability and identity. Two key components of federal states-names and delineation-remain unsettled, though. According to the deal, the government will form a commission with a six-month mandate to finalize the demarcation of federal units.

28 constituent parties of the 30-party opposition alliance, except the UCPN-M and MJF-L, at the 30-party meeting strongly objected to the political agreement between the big four political parties, arguing the agreement does not resolve the issue of federalism.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the 16-point agreement concluded between four major political parties. Issuing a statement, the Secretary General said "The UN applauded the diligent efforts and constructive leadership demonstrated by Nepali political leaders in reaching the agreement. This achievement is particularly laudable as it was reached amid challenging circumstances caused by the major earthquakes of April and May."

Voicing dissent over the agreement reached by major parties, NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya remarked that the 16-point pact signed by the four big political parties has reinstated regression. "The agreement between the four parties is regressive. Consensus on the contentious issues of constitution should be sought by holding all-party meeting," said Baidya. He said the unification process with UCPN-M have been put on hold as the latter is a signatory of the regressive agreement.

The UCPN-M-led 30-party opposition alliance has split after the four major parties on June 8 reached a 16-point agreement on major contentious issues of the new Constitution. Opposing the agreement, some of the constituent parties in the alliance including MPRF-N, TMDP, FSPN and SP held parallel meeting of the alliance. The dissident faction has claimed that as many as 13 constituent parties in the alliance are supporting them. On the other hand, UCPN-M, MPRF-D and various other parties in the alliance have decided to join the CA.

RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa talking to media persons following the meeting of CA said that the agreement signed by the four big political parties is an attempt to sideline other parties in the process of promulgating a new Constitution. He argued that leaders of these parties were belittling CA by imposing the decisions they made without consulting other parties represented in the CA. It was their arbitrary decision, he blamed.

A sub-committee formed by CPDCC failed to arrive at consensus electoral system for upper house, provincial parliament and granting citizenship through mother. The sub-committee was also divided on the number of constitutional commissions to be formed in the new set-up. The sub-committee members will be holding separate and joint discussions with the top leaders of their respective parties in a bid to forge consensus on the disputed issues.

SLMM expelled MJF-L Bijay Kumar Gachhadar from the alliance of Madhesi parties. During the meeting convened at the office Rajendra Mahato led SP in Nayabaneshwor, Kathmandu, the alliance of Madhesi parties announced formal break-up from Gachhadar's party citing that his party signed the agreement 16-point agreement against the objective and concept of the front.

The CPDCC submitted a consensus report on the disputed statute agendas to the CA clearing the way for preparing the first draft of the new Constitution. The report presented by PDCC Chairman Baburam Bhattarai will be forwarded to the Drafting Committee after deliberation in the full House on June 12. The Drafting Committee headed by NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula will have to prepare the first draft of the constitution within 15 days.

The CA meeting forwarded the report of the CPDCC to the CDC and directed the latter to prepare the first draft of the new Constitution within the next 15 days. The proposal to forward the report to the Drafting Committee was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the 601-seat CA. Only the lawmakers from RPP-N, which has 25 members in the CA, opposed the proposal. Five other small political parties - MPRF-N, TMDP, SP, FSP-N and TMSP - had walked out of the meeting earlier on the day. The parties have 35 seats in the CA among themselves.

The CDC of the CA has begun drafting the Constitution after it received the report of the CA's CPDCC. Addressing a meeting, the CDC Chairman Krishna Sitaula announced to complete the given task within 12 to 15 days.

The CDC at the meeting directed the five Sub-committees under it to prepare draft proposals as per the recent 16-point Agreement made by four major political parties. The CDC has asked the Sub-committees to complete the job and submit their reports by June 17.

June 16

A writ petition has been filed at the SC against the recent 16-point agreement signed by four major political parties to resolve the contentious issues of the new constitution. The writ was filed only after a single bench of justice Cholendra Shumsher JBR issued an order to register the agreement reached among the four parties, SC Joint Spokesperson Baburam Dahal said.

The CA Secretariat is struggling to finalise the new calendar for constitution writing as the ruling NC and CPN-UML leaders are divided over the issue of duration.

Various five subcommittees formed under the CDC of the CA have failed to settle some of the disputed issues in constitution writing. The subcommittees are scheduled to submit their reports on June 17, while the disputes would be sent back to the full CDC meeting.

CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya claimed that the 16-point agreement among NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L will not yield a new constitution. The only way to ensure the promulgation of the constitution is an all-party political conference, Baidya told reporters in Kavre District. Baidya also said that the UCPN-M, which had led the alliance of which CPN-Maoist was a member, betrayed its allies by becoming a signatory to the 16-point deal.

SP organizing a press conference reiterated that it may quit the CA and launch protest if the major political parties try to promulgate constitution without delineating and naming the federal provinces. SP argued that the 16-point agreement between the four major parties is unconstitutional.

June 17

Chairman of the UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said his party was committed to federalism with identity but made some compromises on certain issues in order to forge consensus. Receiving a memorandum submitted by the NEFIN at his residence in Lazimpat in Kathmandu, Chairman Dahal said his party had to be flexible on some issues for consensus but the party had not given up the issues it had been raising in the past and urged the delegation to take the deal positively.

The CDC of the CA forwarded the list of disputes in constitution writing to a taskforce comprising members of the committee and asked it to prepare an integrated draft of new constitution and submit it to the full committee within a week.

Chairman of the CA, Subas Nembang, said that the new constitution should be promulgated as soon as possible by institutionalizing the achievements on the basis of maximum consensus as the new constitution could not address cent percent demands of all. After receiving a memorandum at his office, Singha Durbar, submitted by a delegation of the NEFIN regarding the 16-point agreement signed among four major political parties on June 8, CA Chair Nembang urged all not to make any activities that lead to dissolve the CA as the first CA was dissolved without promulgating the new constitution due to some argument over the issues that were close to consensus.

June 18

PM Sushil Koirala said the constitution drafting task should be carried out through 'double' fast track. ?Others are saying fast track. But i say mere fast track is not enough, let?s go to double fast track,? PM Koirala said while talking to a delegation of NEFIN at his official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.  

UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai remarked that a national government would be formed immediately after the promulgation of new constitution. Talking to journalists in Gorkha at his home-District Gorkha, Bhattarai said the new constitution would be announced within the current Nepali month of Ashad (mid July).

June 19

The SC ordered the government, the CA and concerned political parties not to implement the 16-point political deal recently struck by major political forces with a view to settling key contentious issues in constitution making. Issuing an interim order, the court said issues like delineation and nomenclature of provinces should be settled before the dissolution of CA.

Taking strong exception to the apex court?s interim order, four major political forces, NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L have termed the move as an act of intervention in the jurisdiction of the sovereign CA elected to promulgate the new constitution. The four parties said that the order would not affect the set statute-drafting process. An emergency meeting of the ruling and opposition parties held at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala?s official residence in Baluwatar immediately after the court?s ruling said the order was against the spirit of the Interim Constitution-2007 and the principles of the separation of powers.

SC's order on 16-pt deal has been found to have contradicted its own previous ruling and precedents. The Supreme Court, ordered the government, the CA and concerned political parties not to implement the 16-point political deal stating the issues like delineation and nomenclature of provinces should be settled before the dissolution of CA since the deal on forming eight provinces, assigning provincial assemblies to name them and forming a federal commission to finalize delineation would be against Article 138 of the Interim Constitution. While issuing the interim order, a single bench of Justice Girish Chandra Lal has accepted the deal between the four major parties as a constitutional and legal issue and described it as contradictory to Article 138.

June 21

The UCPN-M said that the interim order issued by SC would not affect the task of constitution writing. A meeting of office bearers of the UCPN-M decided to continue the constitution writing task, while at the same time cooperate with the other parties in the matter, informed party Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

The UCPN-M charged that the ruling parties are trying to move ahead against the spirit of the 16-point deal signed on June 8, on the contentious issues of the new constitution. In a meeting of UCPN-M, the party?s top leaders concluded that the NC and CPN-UML had taken a tough stance on some minor issues of the new constitution. The main opposition decided to hold ?serious negotiations? with the coalition partners on the matter.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang said that no obstacle can stop the constitution writing process. CA Chair Nembang said the 16-point agreement signed among the four major political parties has ensured the constitution writing. "All bases for constitution writing are now ready. Consensus has already been forged among political parties. Constitution writing process will not be obstructed in this situation", he said.

President Ram Baran Yadav and CA Chairman Subas Nembang held discussions focused on the entire scenario of the constitution writing and the situation following the SC's order in connection to the 16-point agreement signed among the four political parties. The CA chairman, during his meeting with the President at the President office in Shital Niwas, Kathmandu, briefed the Head of State that the work related to the constitution writing was going ahead in an expeditious manner and has reached the draft writing stage, and the committee was working day and night to take it to a conclusion at the earliest. On the occasion, President Yadav reiterated on moving ahead maintaining balance of power and cordiality among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, not to escalate dispute and to keep patience.

The meeting of the CDC scheduled was postponed as the Preliminary Draft Taskforce under it could not complete the task of writing the draft. Committee secretary Rabi Aryal said the taskforce would prepare the draft, so that it could be presented in the committee's meeting scheduled for June 24.

The task force under the CDC prepared an integrated draft of the constitution based on 16-point agreement between the four major political parties. The draft prepared by the committee has recommended 35 sections and 312 Articles. The taskforce in its draft has recommended 33 fundamental rights and nine constitutional bodies in the new constitution.

The CDC of the CA has once again extended the deadline of its taskforce due to dispute among the parties. This is the second time the taskforce has received deadline extension from its supervisory body. The taskforce was originally supposed to complete the work by June 22. But, after the taskforce failed to get the job done by the deadline, the CDC has instructed the taskforce to come up with the integrated draft of the new Constitution by June 26. The taskforce failed due to dispute among the parties on issues like structure of local bodies, interim election for local bodies and provisions relating to amendment to constitution and wordings on citizenships.

The taskforce of CDC formed to prepare an integrated draft of the new Constitution has prepared the preliminary draft. The draft was tabled at the CDC of the CA. After endorsement, it will be presented to the CA. Taskforce members say the draft was submitted to the CDC despite failing to resolve some of the disputes.

PM Sushil Koirala during an interview said "You might consider the constitution done and dusted". He said "There is no reason to doubt the trajectory of new Constitution. It has already entered a process. Every Committee of the Constituent Assembly is working on war footing. There is not a moment to waste. You might consider the constitution done and dusted. No force can stop it now. There is no time like now to reconstruct the country and take it on the path of development and prosperity. The recent disaster has only added to the urgency. Our commitment is peace, development, democracy and prosperity and there is no better time to institutionalize them."

The CDC endorsed the preliminary draft of the new constitution, which will be tabled in the CA on June 29 for deliberation among the CA members. Though the CPN-UML and the UCPN-M and some fringe parties voiced some reservations over some of the provisions, they fully backed the passage of the preliminary draft, in a step towards promulgation of the new constitution.

Four major political parties have agreed to allocate 60 percent seats under the FPTP electoral system and 40 percent seats under proportional electoral system in the provincial assembly election. A meeting of the four major political parties -- NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and UDMF -- held at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, decided to keep the same ratio in the electoral system as agreed earlier for the federal assembly. The four parties have agreed to ensure 33 percent women in both provincial and federal assemblies.

The first draft of the new constitution has proposed to give more powers to the president than he enjoys under the existing Interim Constitution. The draft has proposed to authorize the head of state to dissolve the federal House of Representatives and fix a date for the next election within six months if the leader of the largest political party heads a minority government and fails to secure a vote of confidence in the House within a month of becoming Prime Minister.

Major opposition UCPN-M warned of not signing the first draft of the constitution citing that the draft contained provisions against the spirit of 16-point agreement. UCPN-M expressed its dissatisfaction saying that the CDC Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula added some words which is against the 16-point understanding reached among the political parties on June 8.

The CDC failed to table the preliminary draft of the constitution in the CA as UCPN-M objected to some of its provisions. The CA meeting that convened after midnight on June 29, was postponed for June 30, after passing a condolence message on the demise of former lawmaker Padma Sundar Lawoti.

Seventeen months after the second CA election, the preliminary draft of the new constitution was tabled in the CA, paving the way for promulgation of the new national charter. Even though several more steps remain before the constitution is finally out, leaders termed the move as a great achievement considering that the first CA elected in 2008 was dissolved in 2012 without producing the first draft. CDC Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula presented the draft, proposing wider discussion among the CA members.

The united Madhes alliance, burnt the copies of preliminary draft of the constitution that was presented at the CA meeting on June 30. After tearing and burning the constitution draft in front of Department of Road office in Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, TMLP vice chairman Brishesh Chandra Lal, NSP vice chairman Laxman Lal Karn and SSP General Secretary Rajendra Shrestha, and TMSP senior leader Ram Naresh Ray Yadav, addressed the gathering. The disgruntled came down heavily upon the preliminary draft of the constitution and warned of stern protests if the major political parties did not pay heed to their demands.

As per the previous understanding among the major parties to fast-track the constitution drafting process, the CA, suspended some clauses of the CA Rules of Procedure to kick start deliberations on the preliminary statute draft. As per the rules, the CA should give members at least a week to study the preliminary draft before engaging them in a discussion.

The UCPN-M decided to urge the government to bring budget as per the spirit of 16-point pact since the agreement has created environment of consensus in the country. A Parliamentary Party meeting of the UCPN-M convened at CA building in Kathmandu made the decision to this effect.

PM Sushil Koirala said that no one could obstruct the constitution writing process as it has already been initiated. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of BP Highway at Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchowk District, PM Koirala said the new constitution would be promulgated at any cost. Stating that establishment of federal republicanism in the country was not a minor issue; and the time has come to institutionalise the achievements gained from the people's movement. PM Koirala further said that there would be drastic change in the country within the next 10 years if there would be good governance, transparency, accountability and corruption-free in the country.

Despite protest from the RPP-N, deliberation started in the CA, on the preliminary draft of the new constitution. The meeting called to discuss the draft before publishing a revised version in the Nepal Gazette for public consultation was delayed by five hours after the fourth largest party demonstrated claiming distortions in the document without the consent of Drafting Committee members. The party accused a handful of leaders from the major parties of altering several provisions that were finalised on June 28. It charged that "socialism-oriented state" was included in the preamble unilaterally. The RPP-N also claimed that the proposed fundamental right to abandon one's religion was tantamount to conversion-a provision absent from the preliminary draft agreed to earlier. The draft, however, says in another clause that changing someone else's religion is a punishable act.

In an indication of new unity, almost all the Madhes-based parties in the CA and outside agreed, to launch a unified movement to press the ruling parties to incorporate their agendas in the new constitution. In a meeting held at the TMLP office, the leaders agreed to launch their Janajagaran Campaign soon. Upendra Yadav, chairman of FDA, who was in Pokhara, is said to have assured his party's participation in the joint struggle.

Four fringe political parties boycotted the CA meeting, reiterating their demand that the constitution should be promulgated only after delineation of federal units. These parties include SSP, TMLP, SP and TMSP, walked out of the meeting. TMLP General Secretary Sarbendra Nath Shukla said that federalism without demarcation of state boundary was like a body without its head.

The RPP-N, announced protest programmes demanding termination of secularism and re-establishment of Hindu state. The party has announced District centered stir all over the nation starting July 7. Announcing the protest programme, RPP-N said that the party is planning to stage protest outside the CA building on July 7. As part of the protest, separate rallies would be taken out from three Districts of Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur) and the rallies will converge outside CA building.

A full court meeting of SC asked the CA to revoke the provision for forming a constitutional court. The SC full court meeting decided to urge the CA in writing to remove the provision to create a constitutional court. The meeting presided over by Chief Justice Ram Kumar Prasad Sah held deliberations on the provisions of the preliminary draft of the new constitution and urged the CA to uphold the international practice on independent judiciary by removing the provision for constitutional court. The full court meeting maintained that constitutional court would create unnecessary hassle in the judiciary system and is likely to arouse conflict among the courts.

When four Madhes-based parties are boycotting discussions in the CA, the UCPN-M said that the delineation of federal units should be decided before constitution promulgation. Citing the changed circumstances, the party argues that it is better to settle the demarcation as the constitution draft undergoes modifications over the next few weeks. The UCPN-M believes that state demarcation could be decided within a month if the two ruling parties (NC and CPN-UML) take it seriously. Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said it was improper to decide the numbers before laying out other details. There are growing voices in the NC and the CPN-UML as well that delineation should be decided before the new charter gets its final shape. 

Lawmakers pointed out the need of ensuring proportional and inclusive representations in every bodies of the state in the draft of a new constitution. Participating in a meeting of CA deliberations on the proposal tabled before it, seeking permission to publish the first integrated draft of the new constitution in Nepal's gazette for people's feedbacks, lawmakers stressed on including the provision death penalty to those who were approved culprits of rape, genocide and other serious crimes.

Minister for Information and Communications, Minendra Rijal, called all political parties to involve in the journey of prosperity by ending political tussle. Taking part in the ongoing discussion at the CA seeking permission to publish the first integrated draft of the new constitution in Nepal's gazette for people's feedbacks, Minister Rijal urged the political parties to put their views and demands in the CA without boycotting it.

After weeklong deliberations, the CA endorsed the preliminary draft of the constitution, clearing the way for public consultation on the statute blueprint. The CA meeting endorsed the draft amid protests by the RPP-N and four Madhes-based parties. The Committee on Citizen Relations and Public Opinion Collection has got 15 days beginning July 9, to gather people?s views on the draft and submit its report to the Assembly. CA members and Secretariat staff will visit 240 electoral constituencies and 75 Districts to seek people?s feedback on the draft.

CPN-UML Senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal claimed that he tried hard to make UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda agree to take ahead the constitution drafting process. Speaking at a programme to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a community building at Gangapipara in Rautahat District, Nepal said the people would not forgive if the constitution could not be drafted this time around. He claimed that the new constitution would be in favour of the people of mountain, hill, and Tarai. He said the new constitution should not encourage religious conversion and end the Hindu identity and that the constitution should not hurt the sentiment any caste or religion.

The Committee on Citizen Relation and Public Opinion Collection finalised an action plan for seeking public opinion on preliminary draft of the new constitution. The plan will come into effect after its endorsement by the full House of the CA. According to the plan, officials of the CA Secretariat will start visiting 240 electoral constituencies beginning July 10, with a copy of preliminary draft. Once the officials complete preparations for holding interactions at the grass-roots level, lawmakers will visit their electorate after the budget presentation at Parliament next week. The CA has provided 15 days beginning on July 9, to gather people?s views on the document and submit its report to the Assembly.

The Committee on Citizen Relation and Public Opinion Collection came up with a 15-day action plan to collect public opinion on preliminary draft of new constitution. The action-plan endorsed by full House CA on July 9, drew criticism for allotting only two days for holding direct interaction with common people though the Committee got 15 days. People can register their comments through online, fax and telephone numbers. For the rural areas, printed copies will be transported. There will be two-day long interaction programmes in each electoral constituency in the presence of lawmakers. Four Madhes-based parties took exception to the action plan stating that only two days are allocated for collection of feedback through interaction. Organising a press conference at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, after CA endorsed the action plan, CA Chairman Subas Nembang said the draft constitution would be revised and amended according to public suggestions. He requested the people to provide their feedback and opinions on preliminary draft of constitution.

President Ram Baran Yadav advised four major political parties to promulgate the new Constitution only after the delineation of provinces, a key demand of the leaders from Madhesi and Janajati constituencies, in accordance with the Supreme Court?s stay order.  Inviting Prime Minister and NC President Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar at Sheetal Niwas, the official residence of the President in Kathmandu, President Yadav expressed his dissatisfaction at the major parties? decision to promulgate the new charter without resolving the federalism row, and by suspending some constitutional provisions to speed up the process.

UDMF, a four party alliance of MPRF-N, TMDP, SP and NMSP launched protest programmes demanding the major parties to correct the 16-point agreement. Unveiling a joint protest programmes the Front said the agreement is ?unconstitutional? as it attempts to federate the country into eight provinces through an arrangement to decide names and boundaries of the states later. The Madhesi leaders said they are in favour of delineation of federal boundaries and naming them in accordance with past agreements signed with Madhesi, Janajati, Dalit and other marginalised and excluded communities.

Backtracking on its earlier stance, top leadership of the UCPN-M decided to mount pressure for delineation of provinces prior to promulgation of the new constitution. Addressing a function organized by ANNISU-R, the student wing of the party in Kathmandu, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal directed student leaders to start campaign to mount pressure on the CA and political parties to delineate provinces before promulgation of the new Constitution.

Claiming that the final draft of the new constitution attempts to curtail their rights, Janajati and Madhesi activists and intellectuals met President Ram Baran Yadav at his official residence in Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu and sought President?s intervention in promulgation of a new Constitution that guarantees equal rights to all communities living in the country. The group led by senior Janajati activist Padma Ranta Tuladhar said that the draft does not live by promises the Government made to Madhesi, Janajati, women, Dalit and other marginalised and excluded communities. They claimed that the major parties are trying to promulgate ?regressive? statute against the spirit of the Interim Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling.

Dispute between UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Baburam Bhattarai has escalated further over several sticking points, most notably the party?s leadership. The duo publicly accused each other of weakening the party, fostering factionalism. Indicating parallel activities inside the party, Dahal said that actions of his deputies Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha often differ from their words. Bhattarai, who spoke ahead of Dahal, floated the idea of forming of a new political force, consequently irking Dahal.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang instructed lawmakers to collect public feedback on the first draft of the new constitution and to assure them of delivering the new statute by mid August, while visiting their respective Districts. Participating in an interaction program organized by the CA's CRCSC on draft constitution in Kathmandu, Nembang said that new constitution is most likely to be delivered within a month. On the occasion, Nembang urged political parties, those boycotting CA process and remaining outside it, for submitting their feedbacks to the CA while assuring them of accommodating their feedbacks in the new statute. "Since the draft constitution is document of compromise, it includes common ideas of all parties rather than all ideas of all parties," said Nembang at the program participated by lawmakers and representatives from FNJ and NBA.

The fourth-largest party RPP-N said that it will not participate in the collection of public opinion regarding the preliminary draft of the new constitution. Issuing a press statement, the party termed the collection of public opinion as a dramatic event. RPP-N said that the CA was used as a rubber stamp and barring enough discussions on the contents of the draft, regulations were suspended and the interim order of the Supreme Court was not implemented. The party has said that people?s opinion will not find any space in the constitution draft, as preparations are underway to submit the report prepared on July 22, itself, the very next day.

Top-notch leaders of major parties, who arrived in Jhapa District, to lay foundation stone of Girija Prasad Koirala memorial building, said that promulgation of the much-awaited constitution is inevitable, and the statue will come into effect within mid-August. Addressing the function, Prime Minister and NC President Sushil Koirala stated that the change was possible owing to sacrifice and struggle, adding the nation is heading to institutionalize it. Saying that people were awaken by the change, PM Koirala expressed his belief that the consciousness in them will help to preserve democracy in coming days. Also speaking UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that the constitution writing has entered final phase. Saying that lawmakers have reached people to collect feedbacks on the draft of the new constitution, Dahal claimed that the voices of dissenting parties will also be incorporated in the constitution. ?There is still room for amendment,? Dahal said, ?Public feedbacks are being collected for that.?

Speaking at a program organized by the Bhanu Foundation on the occasion of the 202nd birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya at Nepal Academy, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, PM Sushil Koirala said, that the new federal republic constitution would unite people from different communities and religions. Likewise, Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire said that Bhanubhakta?s vision of the nation expressed through his literary creations at that time is still significant in the present. Ghimire expressed the belief that the new constitution going to be promulgated soon would be very useful for the nation's welfare.

Six months on, the commissions formed to investigate the conflict-era cases of human rights violations and extrajudicial punishments have still not finalised their organisational regulations. Without the regulations, these transitional justice bodies- TRC and CIEDP - are barely functioning. The two commissions also do not have any staff members, except a secretary each appointed not so long ago. The government had formed TRC and CIEDP in February, eight years after the signing of the CPA, with the mandate to complete their tasks within two years of their formation.

Cadres of Madhes-based parties have obstructed a programme held to collect public opinion on the preliminary draft of the new constitution at Gaur Municipality in Rautahat District.  They tore the statute draft and chanted slogans at an interaction programme organised by draft sub-committee. SP central member Yogendra Yadav seized mike from the hands of organiser and said his party has serious objection to the first draft of statute as it neglected Madhesi issues. Following him, other cadres chanted slogans and tore copies of the draft. Chief District Officer Madan Bhujel and security personnel were in dilemma when the Madhesi cadres were vandalising chairs and tables and burnt documents and banner of the programme. Later Police intervened and took control of the situation.

The UDMF staged a protest programme against the draft constitution in Janakpur District, saying that the draft is against the demands raised by the front. A protest rally organised from the Railway station turned into a corner assembly at Janaki Chowk after marching around the town. Various leaders and cadres from Madhes-based parties, affiliated to the front, participated in the protest rally. Madhesi leaders warned that they would not accept the constitution without demarcation of federal borders. They expressed their rue for discriminating Madhesi in all provisions ranging from Preamble to citizenship issue. Also, the Madhesi leaders warned of stronger protest s against the programmes summoned for July 20 and 21 to collect public opinion on the draft constitution.

The government has announced public holidays on July 20 and 21 to facilitate public opinion collection on the preliminary draft of the new constitution. A Cabinet meeting, took the decision with an aim to ensure maximum public participation in interactions on the constitution draft, said Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal. The holidays, however, are not for SF personnel and government officials involved in feedback collection. The preliminary draft has been sent to the people in order to solicit their suggestions on the provisions of the proposed constitution. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepali missions abroad are also entrusted to seek feedback from migrant Nepalis there.

Concerned with anti-accord statements from the signatories themselves, the CPN-UML is preparing to raise the issue in a cross-party meeting. Against a clause in the 16-point agreement that says the borders of the eight provinces would be marked on the basis of the recommendations of a commission to be formed after constitution promulgation, some leaders of the coalition partner NC and the main opposition UCPN-M have stood for deciding the delineation now. The CPN-UML has concluded that such attempts would delay the new constitution. On June 8, major political parties?NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L ? signed the deal agreeing to let the Federal Commission decide on the demarcation of provinces.

The Committee on Citizen Relations and Public Opinion Collection of CA so far received over 12,000 feedback s on preliminary draft of constitution. People have registered their feedbacks through toll free number, website, email and direct mailing at CA Secretariat from the Nepali people living across the globe. The Committee is planning to organise feedback collection programmes in all 240 electoral constituencies on July 19 and July 20.

A total of 41 areas have been designated inside Kathmandu Valley for CA members to collect feedback s on the preliminary draft of the constitution that will begin from July 20. For the two-day gathering, 32 areas inside Kathmandu District have been prepared while seven areas in Lalitpur and two areas in Bhaktapur have been designated. According to the provision, each constituency should have at least two lawmakers.

Speaking during an interaction at Bheri Technical Academy in Nepalgunj in Banke District, PM Sushil Koirala urged the people to rest assured about a statute that addresses the concerns of all.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, said that they would begin the geographical demarcation of Pradeshes only after promulgating the new statute.

At least 40 people were injured when the agitating cadres of Madhes-based parties clashed with Police in Janakpur District on the first of the two-day public consultation campaign on the preliminary draft of the new constitution saw overwhelming participation across the Tarai region. The injured include District-level leaders and some central committee leaders of the Madhes-based parties. In Biratnagar, the consultation was hampered by the cadres of Madhes-based political parties who disrupted the programme by shouting slogans against the constitution. Consultation in Morang-5 was affected after CPN-UML cadres said that they did not receive enough copies of the draft. They have also demanded that the consultation programme be held at open places.  In the interim, CPN-UML leader and former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal was hurled with chairs and stones by protesting cadres at Gaur municipality in Rautahat District. According to sources, two clashes have been reported to have occurred in Saptari where at least two persons, including a Police constable, were injured. The protesting cadres have obstructed transportation along the East West Highway stranding hundreds of travelling passengers.

Cadres of Madhes-based parties disrupted the public opinion collection programme in Mahottari District. Madhesi cadres vandalised the programme in District Development Committee assembly hall at Region no. 3 in Jaleshwar municipality in Janakpur Zone, the headquarters of Mahottari District. The programme podium and several mikes were destroyed in the vandalism. They were chased away by SF personnel deployed in the hall. The consultation campaign, however, was held successfully at constituency no 4 and 5 while lawmakers are about to reach constituency -2.

The public opinion collection programmes in Parsa were marred by tension after the cadres of Madhes-based parties posed obstruction in all five venues. A Nepal Police DSP and few protestors were injured after the agitating cadres of Madhes-based parties clashed with the Police. Pokhariya in constituency-5 of the District witnessed the most serious tension where Police had to fire 14 rounds of tear gas shells to contain the situation. A team led by Nepali Congress lawmaker Surendra Prasad Chaudhari found it extremely difficult to conduct the programme amidst such tension. Similarly the public opinion collection at constituency-2 in Birjung also saw tension as Police wielded batons to chase the protestors who tried to obstruct the programme. DSP Yadav Gharti was injured in the clash.

Cadres of Madhesi Morcha, Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist-Baidya and Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist-Matrika pelted stones at UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda during a programme organised to collect the public opinion on draft constitution at Mohan Higher Secondary School in Mirchaiya of Siraha District. Scores of people were injured in a clash between police and cadres that followed after the incident. Mirchaiya Police said the number of people injured is yet to be ascertained. The programme venue remained tense after cadres tore the copies of draft and started hurling stones. Police fired 15 rounds of tear gas shells to contain the situation.

Three Petrol bombs were hurled targeting the vehicle carrying Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat in Suryamati VDC in Nuwakot District. Minister Mahat was on his way to Nuwakot Constituency-2 to collect people?s feedback on the preliminary draft of new constitution. However, no one was hurt in the incident. An unidentified person had hurled three petrol bombs targeting the vehicle carrying the Finance Minister.

During a public hearing held to draw feedback on the preliminary draft of ?Nepal Constitution, 2072? in Lalitpur District, majority of residents put forth the demand for including Hinduism as state religion, provision guaranteeing citizenship in the name of both mother and father, free health treatment for elderly citizens and banning child labourers.

More than two dozen cadres of the RPP-N including lawmaker Ganesh Thapa were injured in a clash with Police during a feedback collection programme on the preliminary draft of new constitution organised in the District headquarters of Makwanpur, Hetauda. The clash ensued after a group of cadres, led by RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa, forcefully entered into the hall where feedback collection was under way and vandalised chairs and stage, demanding the Hindu state.

Public opinion collection on the constitution draft was affected in some Tarai Districts due to protests by some Madhes-based parties on the second day. The Madhesi Morcha enforced a banda in the plains protesting ?Police excesses? on July 20. The campaign was obstructed in Dhanusha, Siraha, Sarlahi and Kapilvastu Districts while violent clashes were reported in some other Districts. About 60 persons, including SF personnel, were injured in the clashes in Dhanusha, Bara and Rupandehi. People had difficulty reaching the venue for registering their views as transportation was disrupted due to the shutdown. Fifteen people were injured as banda enforcers clashed with Police at several places in Janakpur. Police lobbed tear gas canisters and resorted to baton charge to disperse protesters. In Bara, about 10 persons, including SF personnel, were hurt as the cadres of Madhes-based parties defied security restrictions. Clashes erupted as the demonstrators attempted to enter the interaction centre at Chhatapipara. Police said the protesters had hurled stones at the venue. Some three dozen people were injured.

NHRC urged the government to show restraint against protesters and to create an environment for the people to present their opinion on the constitution draft. ?The government and security agencies should have observed restraint,? the NHRC stated, adding that the use of force to quell demonstrations had flared up tension.

CA Secretariat concluded collection of people?s opinions from within and outside the country with overwhelming and enthusiastic participation of people despite some obstruction from a few parties and groups at some places. The CA panel is likely to take two more days for preparing report on the suggestions.

The CA will follow a three-layer process to incorporate suggestions put forth by the public and other stakeholders on the preliminary draft of the new constitution. The feedback collation process ended on July 21, amid protests by the Madhes-based parties, RPP-N and some parties outside the CA.

At the first stage, the PDCC will try to amend the draft on the basis of reports presented by the CCRPOC. The CCRPOC has been mandated to prepare a comprehensive documentation of the people?s feedback. Second, the CDC will also incorporate the views recorded during nationwide public hearings. Finally, any CA member desiring to register an amendment to the draft bill within one week from the completion of theoretical discussions on the Constitution Bill can do so after a presentation by CDC Chair Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

The CCRPOC sought more time for analysing and processing feedback provided by public and various organisations on the draft constitution. The committee said it would take another 3-5 days to prepare a report. The committee was supposed to submit the report at full House of the CA on July 23, for deliberations among political parties. But committee members said it would be difficult to prepare the report within the allotted time due to a large volume of suggestions collected from electoral constituencies, via website, email and direct mail. They met CA Chairman Subas Nembang, and requested for additional time. From 240 electoral constituencies, 33,316 suggestions on the draft constitution were gathered until July 21 midnight. According to the committee, 20,722 pieces of suggestions were collected through website, while 8,800 from email, 2,471 from toll-free number, 1,080 (fax) and 243 (direct mail).

SSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav has taken a lead to form a broader alliance among Madhes-based parties in a bid to add steam to the ongoing protest against the constitution writing process. Yadav?s effort to expand the existing alliance follows the growing public resentment over the final draft of new constitution that he believes could be translated into a decisive moment. He, together with other leaders of the SLMM, started consultations with other Madhes-based fringe parties for a joint protest aimed at keeping up the momentum.

The NA said, as an apolitical institution, it is ?accountable to the constitution but not to democratic principles.?. In a set of suggestions submitted to President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and CA Chairman Subas Nembang, the NA raised reservations on eight Articles of the draft charter. The Article 262 which mentions the NA as an organisation ?committed to democratic principles, inclusive in character and national in form, for the protection of national sovereignty, integrity, independence and national unity?, contradicts with its nature, the NA argues. ?An apolitical institution can never be accountable to the democratic principles.?

Giving its inputs on the preliminary draft of the new statute, the MoFA suggested that the country ?shall pursue its relations with neighbours based on sovereign equality and reciprocity, but the country shall not align one neighbour against another.?

CA speaker Subas Nembang issued a ruling to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam to furnish clarification regarding scuffles that took place in Hetauda, the District headquarters of Makwanpur, during feedback collection on draft statute on July 21.

RPP-N had enforced banda in Hetauda, to protest against the Police crackdown on its cadres when they tried to disrupt the public hearing on the preliminary draft of Constitution in the District headquarters of Makwanpur on July 21.

Seven persons were arrested in Banepa of Kavre District, as they were organising a torch procession on the eve of the banda, according DSP Raj Kumar KC.

The CA?s CCRPOC is likely to table its report at the CA on July 29. According to committee chairperson Pramila Rana, the committee has compiled the reports on public opinion of only 33 Districts until July 24. She hoped the reports from the remaining Districts will be compiled and submitted by July 29.

Normal life across the country has been hit hard by the Banda called by Netra Bikram Chand led CPN-Maoist-Chand against the Constitution drafting process and ?Lipulekh agreement? (India-China bilateral agreement over Lipulekh - a piece of land in Nepal bordering the two neighboring countries). The Chand-led CPN-Maoist has called a nationwide strike stating that the CA endorsed an anti-public draft of the Constitution and the India-China ?Lipulek agreement? was a ?dangerous interference? in the national sovereignty. Police arrested 52 persons including the party?s leader Tilak Pariyar and Sharad Rasaili, Chairperson of ANNFSU-R, the student wing of the CPN-Maoist-Chand, from various parts of Kathmandu, SP Biswaraj Pokharel said. Some of those arrested had carried petrol with them, he added.

Police also arrested 10 persons forcing people to shut the bazaar and resorting to vandalism in Hetauda, Makwanpur, DSP Sishu Sharma informed.

Speaking at the outset of the legislature-parliament meeting, RPP-N Chief Whip Dil Nath Giri had warned that RPP-N would not allow parliamentary proceedings until Home Minister gives convincing clarification over the incident in parliament.

Leaders from four major political forces at a meeting, decided to complete the task of Constitution making within the next three weeks and promulgate it by August 15. Top leaders from NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MPRF-D, decided to meet CA Chairman Subas Nembang on July 25, and inform him about their latest plan. NC Joint General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka said the meeting with CA chairman would set the timeline and chalk out a plan to expedite the Constitution making process from July 25. "The main emphasis of the meeting's decision is on carrying out the task on a war-footing and to complete it by August 15," Khadka said.

The Police arrested altogether 247 bandh enforcers from across the country, of which 99 were detained from the Kathmandu Valley. According to SSP Narayan Singh Khada, the bandh organizers belonging to Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist-Chand set ablaze nine vehicles and vandalize 19 others. Out of the nine vehicles burnt across the country by the bandh organizers, only one was from the valley. SSP Khada said that four people set a car on fire at Sorhakhutte area, Kathmandu, though the driver managed to escape unhurt.

The UCPN-M submitted a memorandum to CA Chairman Subas Nembang demanding directly elected executive presidential system in the new Constitution. Party vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha-led team of party leaders also sought necessary amendments to some provisions in the draft Constitution in line with past accords and the 16-point agreement. Party leaders also accused the CDC of CA of not abiding by the directive of the CA plenary and the 16-point agreement. Though the party agreed to parliamentary system in the draft statute, its leaders, including Baburam Bhattarai and Shrestha have stood for directly elected executive presidential system.

UCPN-M submitted a 13-page memorandum to CA Chairman Nembang suggesting the Constitution-writing body to fix ?tentative boundaries? of the eight Pradeshes in the new Constitution itself. The party, however, said the detailed works of boundary demarcation should be finalised after promulgation of the Constitution.

In a meeting held between President Ram Baran Yadav and CA Chairman Subas Nembang at former?s official residence in Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu, President Yadav urged CA Chairman Nembang to allocate enough time for the remaining tasks of Constitution drafting process. Discussions were held on public suggestions collected on the preliminary draft of the Constitution and the remaining tasks of Constitution promulgation. ?Constitution should be promulgated in time after following all the due process of Constitution writing,? said Chairman Nembang quoting President Yadav as telling at the meeting. ?All the dissenting factions within and outside the Constituent Assembly must be brought together in this task.?

The CCRPOC has prepared a report on public suggestions on the preliminary draft of the Constitution which will be submitted to CA Chairman Subas Nembang on July 27. Prabha Devi Bajracharya, the committee member, said the report needs some minor modifications before submission. Bajracharya said the committee has segregated the suggestions into 37 parts and 297 articles of the draft constitution. The suggestions collected during the campaign will also be kept at the CA for record. The meeting of full House of the CA on July 28, will deliberate on the report. After completing the deliberation, the report will be forwarded to the CPDCC. The CPDCC will amend the report on the basis of the suggestions collected from the public and forward it to the CA.

Four major parties ? NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L ? are holding consultations on how the people?s feedback could be incorporated in the new constitution. They have agreed to bring out the new constitution on August 16. The CA has started preparing the calendar to promulgate the constitution on the date.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, said that new constitution would be promulgated by incorporating maximum inputs from the people and in accordance with the 16-point deal signed by major political parties. Defending the draft constitution and spirit of 16-point agreement, Oli said the draft charter was a progressive document and he will do his best to improve by taking other parties into confidence. ?Otherwise we have to compromise on it as the constitution drafting will become a number game this time too. We need a two-third majority to promulgate the new constitution while our party commands just a one-third votes,? said Oli.

Disgruntled Madhes-based parties have been pressing for demarcation of federal states before statute promulgation. The UCPN-M demanded revision to the preliminary draft of the new constitution, claiming that the CDC made a number of mistakes while putting the issues together. In a letter submitted to the CA chairman, the main opposition party said the committee overstepped its jurisdictions and violated the directives issued by the CA. Handing over by party?s Constitution Drafting Department head Narayan Kaji Shrestha says that the draft does not address the issue of inclusion and proportional representation of the oppressed and marginalised communities. ?The provisions are objectionable and need correction,? Shrestha said.

July 27

Chairman of CA?s CPDCC, Baburam Bhattarai, revealed that an understanding has been reached to promulgate the new Constitution with demarcation of federal states. At an interaction with Madhesi lawmakers, leaders and rights activists, Bhattarai informed that the CA is doing homework for delineation of federal states honouring the feedback provided by people during public opinion collection.

In a meeting held at PM Sushil Koirala?s residence in Baluwatar, four political parties ? the NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, said they were likely to agree to demarcate the boundaries of federal units before promulgating the new Constitution and write religious freedom instead of secularism in the new Constitution.

Upendra Yadav, Chairman of SSF-N, said that the draft Constitution is regressive as it has obscured the federal democratic norms, inclusion, proportional system and identity-issue. Speaking at a protest assembly organised by SLMM in Biratnagar, Chairman Yadav said, ?If the draft constitution is promulgated without amending the discriminatory provisions, its fate will be similar to that of the past constitutions.? SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato claimed the draft constitution has been rejected by the people and the new constitution based on such draft will not be implemented in Madhes. TMSP, Ram Naresh Raya, said their obstruction activities during the two-day public feedback collection on the preliminary draft constitution were just a trailer. Their remaining protest programme would uproot the monopoly of the four parties.

On the basis of suggestions received from the people on the new constitution, the four major parties will consider seven main constitutional issues- directly elected executive head, rights of Dalits and women, citizenship, religion, electoral provisions for local bodies, demarcation of federal units, and judiciary, while finalising the Constitution draft. The CA meeting has been summoned for July 28.

Addressing a program organized to hand over report on the activities carried out by NIC over the past six years at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar, PM Koirala reiterated that new Constitution would guarantee people's rights to information in Nepal.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said, that the term ?secularism? is not an appropriate one and it would be replaced by a suitable term in the new Constitution.

July 28

Four major political parties -- the NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, -- are scheduled to hold talks with dissenting Madhes-based parties on July 29. UCPN-M Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said they plan to hold talks with the Madhes-based parties in two different groups.

Despite strong pressure from the leaders to take a firm stance on directly-elected prime minister, the CPN-UML leadership refused to backtrack on the 16-point agreement that proposes House-elected Prime Minister as the executive head and a ceremonial President. The party?s CC meeting that concluded, did not agree to the demand of a majority of leaders stating that it wanted to ensure the promulgation of the new constitution by mid-August as planned.

July 29

The CA instructed CPDCC to come up with a consensus report by incorporating the feedback provided by the public and other stakeholders on the preliminary draft of the Constitution within four days. CPDCC Chairman Baburam Bhattarai demanded a few more days to prepare the consensus report, saying that it would not be possible to prepare the consensus report within four days. Top leaders of major parties are, however, of the view that the CPDCC must submit the report, even if there is no consensus on all the issues.

In a meeting with PM Sushil Koirala at latter?s official residence in Baluwatar, CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya expressed his party?s dissent to the overall Constitution drafting process and the first draft of the statute. Baidya urged the government to respect the people?s aspirations in the new Constitution. A statement issued by CPN-Maoist-Baidya after the meeting reads, ?Chairman Kiran (Baidya) expressed the party?s dissatisfaction to the draft that undermines the people?s aspirations expressed through people?s war, various people?s movement and Madhes uprising.?

The SLMM ruled out the possibility of talks with the major parties unless the latter agree to take ownership of provisions ensured by the interim Constitution. Morcha leaders have demanded amendment in the final draft of the Constitution as per the spirit of the interim Constitution and past accords signed with the Madhesi forces. Four major parties invited Madhesi parties for talks in an effort to incorporate views of forces inside and outside the CA in the Constitution. Morcha leaders have particularly objected to the draft?s provisions pertaining to the citizenship rights and inclusion, besides protesting against ?deliberate? delay in demarcation of the state. Four Madhesi parties of the front also boycotted the CA?s deliberation on the report tabled by CCRPOC.

SSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav said there cannot be negotiation unless the major parties agree to abide by past accord with marginalised and excluded communities including Madhesi and Janajati.

July 30

The CPN-Maoist led 33-party alliance announced fresh protest programmes demanding annulment of the draft Constitution. A meeting of the alliance, agreed to hold a nationwide demonstration on August 21, against the draft that, according to them, has undermined the public aspirations expressed through various movements including the People?s War, People?s Movement-II and Madhes revolution.

The CPDCC of the CA formed a special committee comprising leaders of four major political parties to integrate people's feedback on the preliminary draft of the new Constitution in a systematic manner. The special committee comprises PM Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and Chairman of the MJF-L Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar. Committee chairman Baburam Bhattarai will coordinate the works and functioning of the special committee. The CA has instructed the committee to present its report within four days after incorporating people's feedback.

July 31

Former PM and senior leader of the NC Sher Bahadur Deuba, said his party is in favor of promulgating new Constitution with delineation. Speaking at an interaction organized in New Delhi, Deuba said the top-notch leaders of the major political parties are holding talks on promulgating the new Constitution with delineation by taking Madhes-based parties into confidence.

Seven Janajati parties started forming an alternative political force by uniting all like-minded fringe political parties. According to Pasang Sherpa, leader of SDP, recent meetings of the eight parties including RJP, FRSP, KNF, FLP, INNM, NRP, TTP-N and SDP have taken the initiative. Currently, the parties have been working together as a front ? Federal Alliance based on Identity.

August 1

UDMF, an alliance of four Madhes-based parties, which has been protesting against the draft for the last several weeks, unveiled an additional programme of protest.

August 2

Janajati and Madhesi forces have agreed, to launch a unified protest against the draft Constitution. According to them, the draft Constitution does not live up to the past promises made to the marginalised and excluded communities. Leaders from both the sides said they are making final preparation to unveil a joint programme of protest within the next few days. Janajati and Madhesi leaders from across the socio-political spectrum have objected to several provisions in the draft pertaining to identity, autonomy, citizenship, proportional representation and electoral system. Other excluded communities, including Dalit, have also been voicing reservations about many provisions in the draft. Padma Ratna Tuladhar, leader of Ajra, which is struggling for single identity-based federalism, said discussions were also underway to incorporate other disgruntled groups, including Dalit, Muslim, Khas, in the joint protest.

Serious differences emerged among the four major parties, the NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, on whether to delineate the federal provinces before the promulgation of new constitution. The senior ruling coalition NC has proposed delineating the federal provinces ahead of the Constitution promulgation as suggested by the public during the feedback collection campaign on the preliminary draft of the Constitution. The proposition goes against the 16-point agreement signed by the four parties which states that the task of demarcating the federal boundaries would be mandated to a commission after the new Constitution has been adopted. While the Maoists and MJF-L are also in favour of finalising the federal boundaries before Constitution promulgation, the CPN-UML is the only party which has rejected the idea. CPN-UML leaders have said that if the parties get into the task of delineating federal states now, it will further delay the already-delayed Constitution writing process. The four parties have set the target of issuing the new constitution by mid-August.

The SLMM, who stands against the preliminary draft of new Constitution, has initiated efforts to forge working alliance with Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist- Baidya and other fringe parties to escalate the protest against the draft Constitution. The Madhesi leaders proposed a working unity with Baidya and the leaders of eight other parties against the draft Constitution. SP General Secretary Manish Suman said an agreement has been forged between four parties of Madhes and eight other parties to get united for annulment of the draft Constitution.

Even as the major parties are engaged in serious discussions over delineation, the ruling NC and CPN-UML proposed revising the numbers of federal units to 6-7 from eight provinces as mentioned in the 16-point deal. The four parties have been exploring ways to promulgate the new Constitution by delineating federal units following pressure from President Ram Baran Yadav, disgruntled forces as well as the public to resolve the delineation issue. During a meeting, the ruling alliance said the numbers of federal units should be revised as the country could not sustain more than 6-7 provinces.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli assured that the new Constitution would be promulgated by mid-August with delineation of provincial borders finalised. Inaugurating a ceremony marking the Destination Nepal's 11th anniversary in Kathmandu, leader Oli claimed the parties would forge consensus on the delineation of borders within one or two days.

The UCPN-M boycotted the Legislature- Parliament meeting accusing the government of endorsing a discriminatory budget. The parliament meeting has been deferred following the Maoist?s protest. Earlier on August 2, lawmakers from the ruling parties had objected to the budget for fiscal year 2015-16.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said the new Constitution will be promulgated by mid-August, despite the ?conspiracies that are afoot to foil the constitution drafting process?. Speaking at the party?s Parliamentary Party office, Oli also said that he was not against federalism. The CPN-UML chairman also said that he is in favour of keeping fewer provinces than what the four major parties had agreed in the 16-point deal signed on June 8.

Speaking at an interaction on 'New Constitution and Dalit Rights' organized by Bhagat Sarwajeet Memorial Academy in Kathmandu, CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal stressed on the need for drafting a Constitution that would bring real changes in the life of the Dalit community and women that have remained in the back burner.

Amendment to the transitional justice Act is a must for TRC and CIEDP to function efficiently, NHRC Chairman Anupa Raj Sharma said. Speaking at a programme organised by Family Society of the Disappeared Fighters by the State, Chairman Sharma said the government needs to amend the existing law in line with the Supreme Court order.

The leaders from NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MPRF-D decided to federate the country into six provinces. The leaders while emerging from a meeting held at Singha Durbar claimed to have resolved all remaining disputes and said the final decision would be made by August 6. The leaders this time have not only fixed the number but also drawn the boundaries of the proposed provinces, although disputes remain over three Districts. They have also resolved the dispute over five Districts -- Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari in the east and Kailali and Kanchanpur in the west. However, they are yet to agree on Kailali District. UCPN-M and Madhes-based parties have been lobbying for including Kailali district in Madhes province while NC and CPN-UML have strongly opposed the idea of separating it from other far-western hill Districts.

In the east, they have delineated a province comprising Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari and other eastern hill Districts. All the Districts to the east of Udayapur, Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu are in the eastern province. However, MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar is still insisting on including Saptari District in this province. All the southern Districts from the west of Saptari to Parsa are included in a single province. Similarly, the southern area covering Nawalparasi to Bardiya has been included in another Tarai province. However, leaders remain undecided on Kailali. The leaders have included Chitwan District in the province comprising Kathmandu and other Districts east of Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa. This province stretches up to Ramechhap and Sindhuli in the east.

Another province covers hill Districts from Gorkha, Lamjung to Rukum and Rolpa in the west. As this province has no connection with the Indian border, leaders are for giving an exit somewhere in Nawalparasi District. The far-western province covers all the Districts in this region. Salyan, Jajarkot and Dolpa and all other Districts west of it fall in this province. The Tarai District of Kanchanpur has been included in this province.

NC Vice-chairman Ram Chandra Paudel, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar and Chairman of CA's CPDCC Baburam Bhattarai also said that they will finalize the issues by August 6.

The dispute over the delineation and number of federal states has deepened with the signatories to the 16-point agreement pitching new proposals and stances. In a shift from the parties? official positions, discussions are focused on the stances of top leaders of the major parties and the growing pressure from cross-party CA members not to split particular Districts and regions while carving out the federal structure.

The demarcation dispute surrounds Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Kanchanpur and Kailali Districts. Senior leader of NC Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal are adamant that the nine Districts of the Far West should remain undivided and Kailali should not be split. Deuba and Rawal maintain that federalism would be ineffective in case Kailali is split. Factions within the NC, the CPN-UML and the UCPN-M are, however, for reaching a deal even by splitting the Districts. Disputes over secularism, forms of government and provisions regarding citizenship, among others, are yet to be resolved. CDC Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula said a week is required to prepare the final constitution draft after the CPDCC completes its work.

CA Chairman Subas Nembang has summoned the meeting of CA on August 7. The CA chair called the meet during meeting of the Legislature-Parliament.

At a press conference held by Religious Secularism Protection General Committee in Kathmandu, the religious gurus of the different faiths (Buddhist, Kiratis, Muslims, Christians and Shikh) said they would not accept any other term or 'religious freedom' that supplants the secular status of the country guaranteed in the Interim Constitution, 2007. All the religious gurus warned that the General Committee would be compelled to counter conspiracy to remove religious secularism in the constitution and that the government would be responsible for any untoward incidents arising from it.

Though various amicable options are on the table, four major parties - the NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, seem unable to make a breakthrough on the number and delineation of federal units, and the provisions on religion and citizenship. Despite hours-long negotiations between top leaders, major parties, failed to make any headway towards settling the contentious issues. The number and borders of federal states and religion have emerged as prickly issues. The parties have been discussing the agendas for a week but there has been no agreement. Pressure piled by CA members across the party line to keep some geographical areas and zones undivided has also complicated the issue of demarcation.

Twenty eight Madhesi lawmakers from the NC, submitted memoranda to PM and NC President Sushil Koirala and CA Chairman Subas Nembang expressing their dissatisfaction at the proposed six-state federal model. In a meeting with PM Koirala at Singha Durbar, they demanded four states in the Tarai. In the five-point document, the lawmakers demanded that four of the eight states provisioned in the Constitution draft should be in the plains and have only the Tarai Districts. If six states were to be formed, three should be in Madhes. The lawmakers also pressed for proportional representation and inclusion as fundamental rights.

Female activists lie down on the street during a mass ?sleep protest? demanding equal rights for women in the upcoming Constitution at New Baneshwor in Kathmandu. The protesters slept on the six lane road of New Baneshwar and chanted slogans calling on the lawmakers to include provisions in the new Constitution that would ease the process of the transfer of citizenship from mother to her children. As per the draft Constitution, mother and father both have to be a Nepali citizen to be able to bequeath their child citizenship by descent. Such a provision would put a child at a disadvantage if his/her father refuses to support them or is absent for various reasons. Also, the draft Constitution has unequal provisions regarding citizenship for non-Nepali daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

Raute, a nomadic ethnic people, submitted a nine-point memorandum to CA Chairman Subas Nembang, demanding that the group be enlisted as a indigenous community in the new Constitution. A total of six members along with deputy tribal leader of the Raute community, Shivaraj Shahi, demanded to mention their language, culture, costumes and religion in the new Constitution.

Political parties announced indefinite Bandh in Kailali District, demanding an indivisible far west region in the new Constitution. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded in different areas of the District due to the Bandh. The agitators have continued the demonstrations from early morning while the factories and educational institutions remained closed, affecting the normal life badly in Dhangadhi, Attariya, Tikapur, Lamki and other areas in the District.

Different organizations affiliated to Tharu community demanded to constitute a separate Tharuhat province by separating Kailali and Kanchanpur Districts from far west region.

Nepal?s four major parties reached a landmark deal to divide the country into six provinces, resolving contentious issues of federalism under the new Constitution, a crucial development praised by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. Following a meeting, the CPDCC of the CA finally inked an agreement, to carve out the six federal units. ?A constitution with federalism and demarcation has been ensured,? Prime Minister Sushil Koirala tweeted. ?I call on everyone to not be stuck on minor disagreements and work to build and develop the country.?

The four major parties also agreed to incorporate in the citizenship clause the provision of allowing children to acquire citizenship certificate in the name of either father or mother, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development and Federal Affairs Prakash Man Singh. Prime Minister Koirala and top leaders of NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MPRF-D were present during the meeting. However, UCPN-M and MPRF-D, signed the deal with some reservations. ?Although we have some reservations in certain clauses of the proposed constitution, we will fully abide by the agreement,? Dinanath Sharma, spokesperson of the UCPN-M said.

The agreement on the six-province federal model triggered protests across the Tarai plains. TMDP burnt copies of the agreement reached between the four major political parties and maps of the six-state model at Itiyahi of Bara, saying the deal was against Madhes and Madhesis. They shouted slogans against the four parties and their leaders.

RPP-N decided to resort to a 'strong protest? in the CA in disagreement to the new Constitution draft, which, the party leaders said, has failed to incorporate the sentiments of the people. The meeting of the party?s central committee taskforce and parliamentary party held at Singh Durbar took a decision to this effect. The RPP-N has already submitted a note of dissent before the CA?s CPDCC against the Constitution draft. It has been insisting that issues on constitutional monarchy, secularism, federalism and republic should be settled through a referendum.

Two persons, identified as Tikaram Gautam and Yam Bahadur BC, were killed and 50 others were injured as protests against the proposed provincial demarcations turned violent in Surkhet District. The local administration clamped a curfew from 1 pm till evening. Tikaram of Birendranagar-4 was shot dead by Police within 10 minutes after the curfew was enforced while Yam Bahadur was shot dead by Police during curfew hours at 5 pm. Locals in the District staged protests demanding that the mid-western region be kept intact while demarcating the country into provinces. They also demanded that Surkhet District be developed as the capital of the new province. Also, the demonstrators stormed the office of the drinking water and sewerage corporation at Jhupra in the District and set it on fire. Further, angry protestors also set the house of NC leader and lawmaker Purna Bahadur Khadka on fire. Protestors set fire to several offices, including the District Development Committee Office, Birendranagar Municipality office and the party offices of the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M. They also set fire to the vehicle of District Police chief SP Rajesh Kumar Lal Karna.

The protesters broke to pieces a CCTV camera, television set and other equipment at the district administration office and then set fire to furniture and documents at the UCPN-M office. They also vandalized the offices of the NC, CPN-UML and MPRF-D. Journalist Aising Rokaya of local Bulbule Radio was shot at by Police while covering the protests and sustained a bullet injury in his right leg.

Locals in neighboring Dailekh and Jajarkot Districts also protested, demanding that the mid-western region be kept intact and Surkhet be declared the capital of the province. The protestors have also announced an indefinite bandh in Surkhet starting on August 11.

Locals in Mugu, Kalikot, Jumla and Humla Districts have launched agitations demanding that Karnali Zone be made a separate Karnali province. Likewise, demonstrations were held in Salyan and Rukum Districts demanding that Rapti Zone also be kept intact in the federal system. Agitating locals have pelted stones at the house of Janardan Sharma, CA member of UCPN-M. However, there was no damage to the house, according to Keshar Karki, inspector at DPO, Rukum.

Janakpur remained closed for a second consecutive day, due to protests called by the UDMA against federal province delineation decisions. A meeting of the UDMA on August 9, decided to call the protests. "As part of the protests, we have closed down Janakpur," said Brishesh Lal, senior vice-president of TMDP.

The delineation of provinces in Madhes has sparked dissatisfaction among locals and Madhesi party activists in different districts including Saptari and Siraha. Madhesi locals and Madhesi party activists from Morang have warned the ruling parties that they will resort to stern protests if the proposed provincial demarcations are not corrected.

The SLMM expressed its solidarity with the protest of Tharu people in Far Western region. The Morcha said the recently agreed blueprint of state demarcation is irrelevant, unjust and discriminatory. The Morcha expressed its support to the demands and protest programmes of Tharu community during a meeting held at SSF-N party office in Balkumari, Kathmandu.

At a special press conference organised in Kathmandu, leaders of four major parties?NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L ? urged the people to become calm and cooperate by providing appropriate suggestions, assuring that the state borders would be drawn according to the people?s aspirations. They also urged the people to remain alert of the elements that are against the promulgation of new Constitution through CA.  The leaders appealed for calm after violent protests erupted in the Western region of the country against the proposed six-state federalism set-up.

Organising a press conference, Collective Campaign for Women-friendly Constitution demanded annulment of article 11 (2) (B), article 11 (4) and article 12 (2) from the draft Constitution. The articles have made it mandatory that both parents of a child to be Nepali citizens to acquire citizenship by descent. If either of the parents is a foreigner, a child will be only eligible for naturalised citizenship. Also, the provision of acquiring naturalised citizenship for people marrying foreigners is different for men and women.

Madhes-based parties and indigenous groups expressed deep dissatisfaction against the proposed delineation of states which they say does not meet the aspiration of Madhesi people and the aims of Madhes Aandolan.

NC expressed concern over attack on vehicles and houses of the party's joint general secretary and lawmaker Purna Bahadur Khadka and lawmaker Hridaya Ram Thani in Surkhet District on August 10. Issuing a press statement, NC denounced the acts of vandalism at a time when the country is preparing to promulgate a new statute.

CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli said his party was committed to promulgate the new constitution within August and urged people to maintain restraint. Addressing a press meet on the premises of the newly shifted party head quarters in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Oli claimed that Nepali leaders have proved that they are capable of drafting the new constitution on their own.

DAO, Surkhet extended the curfew in the District to a third consecutive day, as protests against delineations of the federal provinces took a violent turn. The local administration ordered a curfew from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. Locals have been staging protests demanding that the mid-west region should be left intact and Surkhet developed as the capital of the proposed province.

Protesters in Karnali Zone have also continued their indefinite strike for the fourth consecutive day, in Mugu, Kalikot, and Jumla. They have been demanding that Karnali Zone be made a separate Karnali province. They are also protesting against the inclusion of the zone in the far-west province.

Demonstrations also continued in Salyan and Rukum Districts, demanding an undivided Rapti Zone. The ongoing protests that began August 9, have thrown life out of gear. They are staging protests against the major parties' decision to divide Rukum between two federal provinces. As per the decision, the eastern part of Rukum will be included in province no. 5 and the western part in province no. 6.

An indefinite strike called by the Tharuhat Struggle Committee crippled life in Kailali and Bardiya Districts. They are agitating against the separation of Kailali and Kanchanpur from Tharuhat and inclusion of these two Districts in the far western region.

Chairman of the CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli said the errors on the draft constitution would be corrected. During a discussion with CA members of the party from Tharu and Madhesi communities, Chairman Oli said feedback on the draft constitution and the proposed six provinces are diverse, so time has come for the leaderships to handle these with extreme care. Stilling the grudges of the Tharu and Madhesi CA members from the party, Chairman Oli said, "There is not only UML but 598 CA members in the CA. So, you need to understand the fact that they too should be taken into confidence while bringing the constitution."

The CA forwarded the report on public feedback on the draft constitution to the CA's CDC and directed the committee to make necessary amendments to the draft within the next five days. The CA directed the drafting committee to revise the draft based on decisions taken at the CA's CPDCC that made suggestions based on public feedback collected last month.

The FLP announced a bandh of nine Districts in the east. The party said that it has called for the bandh in protest against the failure of the State to implement the agreements reached with it in the past and for demarcating provinces without the basis of identity. As a result, daily life in Paanchthar, Ilam, Taplejung, Terhathum, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta and Sankhuwasabha has been affected.

Addressing the Legislature-Parliament meeting, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that no one could stop the new Constitution from being promulgated at this point of time. He said that the issuance of the Constitution is ensured and that they have taken such courage to that effect. "Such consultations on the process to write the constitution have never taken place in the history. I urged all to provide creative and positive support in the promulgation of the new constitution," said the UCPN-M chief.

Expressing their unwavering commitment to the six-province model, top leaders of four major parties said genuine and logical demand s concerning the delineation will be addressed while finalising the new constitution. Defending the cross-party deal, top leaders gave out a unified message of the country approaching constitution promulgation within the next couple of weeks. CA Chairman Subas Nembang said the new statute will be out by August-end if everything goes as planned.

Tension ran high in Tarai Districts from Morang to Parsa, as sporadic clashes between protestors of Madhesi parties and SF personnel continued throughout the day. Dozens of local demonstrators and SF personnel were injured in clashes in the Districts. An alliance of several Madhes-based parties has been staging protests in the Tarai Districts against the proposed provincial boundaries. At least a dozen protestors and Policemen were injured in a clash at Roadshesh Chowk in Biratnagar, the District headquarters of Morang. In Saptari, vehicles stayed off the roads while academic institutions, shops, and industries remained shut during the strike jointly called by the Madhesi parties' alliance and Tharu Karlyankari Sabha. The Madhesi alliance said the six-province model and exclusion of Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang, Kanchanpur and Kailali from Madhes is not acceptable to them.

District leaders of MPRF-D also demanded that Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari Districts be included in province-2. "Three Districts -- Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari -- should be included in province-2," Dilip Dhadewa, a central member of MPRF-D said in Biratnagar.

Life in Rautahat and Bara Districts was also hit hard due to the bandh. Dozens of vehicles vandalized and 117 bandh enforcers were arrested in Kathmandu. The bandh enforced by the 33-party alliance led by the CPN-Maoist, added to the hardship of people across the country. Nepal Police said it arrested 117 protestors from across the country for hooliganism. Police arrested 98 protestors from Kathmandu, eight from Lalitpur, three from Kaski, three from Morang, one from Jhapa and four from Makwanpur. The protestors vandalized two taxis and two buses at various places in the capital.

After the six-province model agreed upon by four parties ? the NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L ? kicked up a controversy, the leaders of the parties have begun discussion on changing the number of provinces. Ruling NC and CPN-UML have proposed five- and seven-province models, sources said. The debate on federal model took a new turn, following continuous protests in several Districts with protesters seeking to review the six-province model. ?We held a positive discussion to address the people?s concerns on demarcation. If necessary, we will have to change the number of provinces,? said UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda after a meeting of the Special Committee of CPDCC held in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu.

August 17

Irate protesters set fire various government offices in Jumla District, during their demonstration demanding a separate Karnali state with special rights. Nepal Army has started patrolling the streets after the agitators set ablaze postal office, District court and agriculture research centre in the District. The protest in the District entered into the ninth day, against the proposed new federal set-up where Jumla would be inducted in Far-western region. Six people were injured in Police baton-charge when the protestors defied curfew order and took out a rally at old Buspark area and burnt tyres. The Jumla DAO issued a shooting order against anyone defying the curfew. The DAO issued a public notice urging everyone to remain indoors.

The TLUSC, Tharu Karlyankari Sabha and the Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee announced additional protest programmes to press their demand for a Tharuhat/Tharuwan province. Organising a press conference at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Tharu leaders from across the political line announced their decision to enforce a general strike in 22 Tarai Districts for four more days starting on August 18. The TLUSC, an alliance of 32 Tharu lawmakers from the ruling NC, UCPN-M and fringe parties, have also started discussion with Tharu lawmakers in the CPN-UML about the protest. Tharu Karlyankari Sabha, the umbrella organisation of Tharus, and Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee, an alliance of Tharu NGOs, have been leading the protest on the ground.

UCPN-M Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said, that his party would not accept five-province model. ?There is no chance that we will accept five-province model that is carved keeping in mind the existing five development regions. Rather, the number of provinces may increase from the proposed six,? Shrestha said organising a press meet in Singha Durbar.

The CDC missed its deadline to present a revised draft of the new Constitution as top leaders of major political parties failed to reach consensus on disputes of the Constitution including demarcation of federal units. The CA meeting on August 12 had assigned the panel to finalise the draft of the constitution by today by incorporating feedback collected from the public on the first draft and latest agreements reached at the CPDCC. ?As the Committee could not complete its tasks and reach a consensus,? CDC Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula told mediapersons after the CDC meeting, ?It is now impossible to present the revised draft to the Constituent Assembly today.? Top leaders of major four political forces are further discussing the demarcation issue at the Special Committee formed by the CPDCC.

Amid continuing debate over proposed provincial boundaries and citizenship provision in the draft constitution, a senior NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi urged top political leadership to retain the provisions in the Interim Constitution. In a letter submitted to top leaders of four major parties, NC leader Nidhi, who is also the minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport, said the provisions in the preliminary draft Constitution are not appropriate as they fail to take into account the practical difficulties of cross-border marriage common in Tarai Districts.

August 18

A protester was killed and 21 others injured when Police opened fire on protesters during an indefinite Madhes bandh at Bhardaha VDC in Saptari District. Rajiv Kumar Raut (30), from Bhardaha was killed when Police opened fire to disperse demonstrators who were clashing with Police. Dev Narayan Biswas (40), Surendra Mandal (39), Apak Sah (14), Satya Narayan Raut (17), and Gopal Mandal (20), from Bhardaha were injured in Police firing and are being treated in hospitals in Dharan and Biratnagar. Four Police personnel and more than 12 protesters, including FSP-N central member Sailendra Sah, were injured during clashes.

Objecting to the draft Constitution, the SP, announced that its six CA members would quit the CA on August 19. Leader of the SP Parliamentary Party Laxman Lal Karna said they were forced to quit because the Interim Constitution and the past agreements made with Madhesi parties were ignored while drafting new Constitution.

The CA meeting, gave four days more for its CDC to revise the draft Constitution on the basis of suggestions offered by the CPDCC. CA Chairman Subas Nembang announced the deadline extension at the CA meeting. The full CA meeting gave additional time to the drafting committee as it couldn?t finalize the draft within the five-day deadline that expired August 17.

PM Sushil Koirala said the new Constitution would a document of compromise and it would accommodate voices from all walks of life. ?We are a heterogeneous society. Differences are there,? the Prime Minister said while receiving a delegation of the US House of Representatives at his office, ?We are trying our best to accommodate the concerns of all people to ensure that the document is acceptable to all of us.? The six-member bipartisan Delegation of House Democracy Partnership of US Lower House ? led by Congressman Vern Buchanan ? called on PM Koirala at his office in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu.

August 19

The meeting of Special Committee under the CPDCC could not produce any result on demarcation of states in the proposed federal set-up. UCPN-M Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the meeting could not decide on the number of provinces as NC President, also the PM, Sushil Koirala, was not ready to accept either of the options presented by them. UCPN-M, at the meeting, had presented a proposal to adopt the seven-province model, which the ruling NC and CPN-UML had jointly put forth in early November last year, according to Shrestha. ?But the Prime Minister walked out of the meeting arguing that his party leaders made him sign on various documents,? Shrestha added.

A group of noted civil society activists urged the public to press their demands peacefully. Issuing a statement, they appealed to protesters to exercise restraint. They also asked the government not to use 'excessive force' against demonstrators as the use of force by SF personnel in some Districts has led to the deaths of protestors, thus aggravating the crisis. They also asked the government and CA members to immediately hold talks with the agitators and address their demands.

August 20

A meeting of the CDC headed by Krishna Prasad Sitaula decided to submit its report to CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang on August 21. ?If the Special Committee fails to reach consensus on the debated issues tomorrow, the panel will forward its report to the CA Chairman,? said Sitaula.

As many as 90 lawmakers from various political parties representing various ethnic communities handed over a list of issues they want addressed in the new Constitution to CA Chairman Subas Nembang. The lawmakers demanded that provision ensuring proportional representation of members from ethnic communities in all state agencies be included in the new constitution as a fundamental right. They also called for a provision for the creation of a commission on indigenous nationalities.

August 21

Chairman of the CDC, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, submitted the final draft of the Constitution to CA to Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang. The CDC has prepared the final draft after the Special Committee comprising of top leaders of major political parties, NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M, agreed on a seven-Pradesh model of the federal set-up. Handing over the report to Nembang, Sitaula said the draft has ensured promulgation of the constitution at the earliest. He also urged parties who have been launching protests against the draft to come to the negotiation table and find a solution.

The Special Committee under the CPDCC agreed to go for a seven province-model in the new federal structure. Prior to this the parties had forged consensus to delineate the country into six provinces. According to CPDCC Chairman Baburam Bhattarai, province no 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 have remained intact. Under the new agreement, the proposed province number six has been divided. According to which the Districts to the east of Karnali River have been included in province number six while those to the west in province number seven. The parties said the detailed task of demarcation of the federal provinces will be carried out by the to-be-formed Federal Commission.

MPRF-D objected strongly to the seven-province federal model proposed by three major political parties. MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar walked out from the meeting of the Special Committee at the CA, voicing dissatisfaction over the seven-province delineation. Following his walkout, Gachchhadar organized a press conference and said his party would now support the ongoing protests without, however, quitting the constitution-drafting process at the CA.

August 22

Bandh enforcers set ablaze two container vans and vandalized a passenger bus at Bhardaha-Portaha road section along the East-West Highway in Saptari District. Saptari bandh has entered its sixth straight day. Irate bandh enforcers set a container van, on fire for defying bandh at Portaha-5, said Birendra Majhi, chairman of United Movement Mobilization Area No 2. Similarly, the irate cadres have also vandalized a passenger bus, heading to east from west. As many as 14 passengers? sustained injuries, when the bus ferrying passengers went out of control and turned turtle at Bhardaha-1 after the cadres pelting stones at it, said DSP Narayan Prasad Chimoriya.

August 23

Four CA members from the SP submitted their resignations to CA Chairman Subas Nembang alleging that the major political parties ignored the voice of minorities by taking advantage of their strength in CA. Though the party had announced on August 18, to submit resignation of all its six lawmakers, only Laxman Lal Karna, Bimal Kumar Kediya, Shail Kumari Devi and suspended lawmaker Sanjay Kumar Sah submitted their resignations. Exiting the CA chairman's chamber after submitting the resignations, Karna said that they were forced to resign as the major parties conspired against the people of Madhes, Tharuhat, indigenous communities and women.

With the submission of the revised draft constitution at a full-House meeting of the CA, the CA secretariat has stepped up the final work of producing a new constitution through the CA. Officials said that as per the latest plan, the secretariat is working under a timeline to conclude all the remaining procedures and promulgate the new constitution by mid-September. The full CA, decided to allow three days for lawmakers to study the revised draft. After the study time ends, lawmakers will be allocated five days at the most for general discussions on the revised draft constitution at the full CA meeting.

At least eight persons, including a SSP, two Inspectors of the Nepal Police, and a two-year-old toddler were killed and 60 others, including 57 Policemen, were injured in the clash with agitating Tharuhat activists in Shankarpur area of Tikapur Municipality in Kailali District. The clash ensued after Police prevented the protestors from breaching the prohibited zone. Irate protestors killed Police personnel with weapons such as spears, sickles, axes and slingshots. Those killed by the irate protestors include SSP Laxman Neupane, Inspector duo Balram Bista and Keshab Bohara, constables Lokendra Chand and Laxman Khadka. Likewise, APF Head Constable Lalit Saud, and constable Ram Bihari Chaudhary were also killed in the clash. A two-year old son of APF Assistant Head Constable Netra Bahadur Saud was also killed by the protestors. Dr Narendra Kumar Khanal, Superintendent at the District Hospital, informed that around 60 injured have been brought to the hospital. Of them only three are civilians, while the rest are SF personnel.

According to CDO Ram Kumar Shrestha, the protestors also set ablaze a Policeman they had held captive during the clash. Although protestors have claimed that at least three persons on their side were killed, the claim has yet to be verified. Curfew has been enforced in Tikapur area following the clash and NA personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident in the area. Tikapur area was declared prohibited zone following violent protests by Tharuhat activists for the past several days. Since last 13 days, Tharuwan/Tharuhat United Struggle Committee has been hitting the streets in the west Tarai region demanding autonomous Tharuhat province including Kanchanpur and Kailali Districts in the new federal structure.

Demanding cancellation of the proposed provincial boundaries under the new Constitution, an alliance of Madhesi parties has continued their protests across the Tarai from Jhapa to Parsa since the last nine days, throwing daily life out of gear. Although the agitating alliance claims to be staging peaceful protests, the agitations in various Districts are gradually taking an ugly turn. Among these Districts, protests in Rautahat turned violent on the ninth consecutive day. Two dozen local agitators and a dozen Policemen sustained injuries in a clash that erupted during protests at District Headquarters in Gaur in Rautahat District. Altogether 28 agitators and nine SF personnel were injured after a clash ensued between Police and demonstrators. Agitating locals also pelted stones at the house of former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal in Gaur. However, no damage was reported. After the situation turned tense, DAO Rautahat clamped a curfew in the Gaur Municipality area from 4.30 p.m. on August 24, till 5 a.m. August 25, informed CDO Madan Bhujel.

District Security Committee, Dang has declared the District a 'riot zone' till September 8. Following declaration of the riot zone, the army has been deployed in the District, according to CDO Loknath Paudyal.

Rajkumar Shrestha, CDO of Kailali District, said 17 Police personnel including a SSP were killed in the clash between Tharuhat activists and Police in Tikapur in the District. At least 20 persons ? 17 Policemen including a senior officer and three protesters ? were killed and more than 100 injured in the violent clash in Kailali District, between SF personnel and protesters demanding a separate Tharuhat province. Hemanta Pal, DIG at the Nepal Police Headquarters, said Seti zonal Police Chief Laxman Neupane, two inspectors Keshav Bohara and Balram Bista, a head constable and a constable were among those killed. Six personnel from the APF, including head constable Ram Bir Tharu and three protesters were also killed when a mob tried to breach the curfew imposed by the local administration.

The parliament meeting denounced the brutal killings of seven SF personnel and a two-year-old boy in Tikapur of Kailali District and appealed to the general public, political parties, civil society and other organizations to maintain social harmony. "This House meeting strongly condemns the incidents aimed at disturbing social unity," said Speaker Subas Nembang at the parliament meeting. He said a show of dissatisfaction in the final stages of Constitution making is natural. "But such a violent expression of dissatisfaction can never be acceptable." Nembang also urged security agencies and local administration to carry out their duties with an unflinching commitment and restraint.

One person, identified as Raj Kishor Thakur (24), of Mahulita Tole in Mathiya VDC in Rautahat District, was killed when Police opened fire on agitators in Gaur, the District headquarters of Rautahat. After indefinite Tarai Madhes bandh called by UDMF to protest draft statute and seven-province model took an ugly turn, Rautahat DAO declared 42-km road section from Gaur to Chandranigahapur riot-hit area and deployed the Nepali Army there.

Kailali Police arrested five persons, identified as Raj Kumar Kathariya, Harinarayan Chaudhary, Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, Ram Kumar Kathariya and Sundarlal Kathariya of Munuwa, from their houses for their alleged involvement in the killing of seven Police personnel, including SSP Laxman Neupane, and a two-year-old boy in Tikapur, Kailali on August 24. A meeting of the District security committee held declared nine VDCs and Tikapur municipality riot-hit zones and deployed the Nepali Army to bring the situation under control.

Four major parties, NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and MJF-L, reviewed recent violent incidents in several Districts, mainly in Kailali, Rautahat and Sarlahi, and said they would try to address the concerns of agitating people by holding talks with their representatives. They, however, said that they would continue the Constitution-drafting process. The parties, however, have not made any concrete plan or set a timeline for talks with agitating sides. The leaders expressed firm commitment to seek solution through talks and not to stop the constitution-drafting process, according to Paudel.

Opposing the government decision to mobilize Nepal Army in riot zones, the UCPN-M demanded political solution to the conflict in various parts of the country. A standing committee meeting of the party, held at party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda's residence at Lazimpat, also urged the major political parties to take initiatives for dialogue with various agitating groups. UCPN-M Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said, "Mobilizing the military can never be a solution and we oppose it." UCPN-M also decided to stand behind the genuine demands raised by indigenous Tharu community.

Deliberations on the amended bill relating to the Constitution of Nepal 2072 began at the CA. This is the final draft of the new Constitution including 37 parts, 302 articles and 9 annexes. The draft was tabled by the CA?s CDC before the CA plenary on August 23, and then three days were allocated for CA members to study the same. The deliberations over the next three days will take place for 11 hours every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, according to CA Chairman Subas Nembang. Every CA member expressing their views on the final draft will be awarded five minutes to do the same. There are presently 598 members in the CA.

One more Nepal Police personnel, Senior Police constable Janak Negi, Jhalari-7 of Kanchanpur District, who was severely injured in violent clash between SFs and Tharuhut agitators at Munuwa, Tikapur of Kailali District on August 24, succumb to his injuries during the treatment. With the death of Negi, a total of eight security personnel and a two-year-old child have lost their lives in the incident. The 21 Police and APF personnel had sustained injuries.

Kailali Police arrested a person in connection with carnage in Tikapur on August 24. According to CDO Chapagain, they arrested Maharaja Rana of Manuwa-7 in connection with the incident as per the information provided by the arrestees.

As protests by agitating Madhes-based political parties and the Tharu community enters second week, protestors intensified their agitation in some parts of the Tarai Districts, while the local administration in various Districts, in response, have imposed prohibitory orders in certain areas. Three Policemen and two protestors were injured when they clashed in Parasi, the District headquarters of Nawalparasi District. The clash had ensued when protestors tried to breach the restricted zone in the District. After issuing preliminary warning, SF personnel fired teargas shells and shots in the air to discourage protesters from entering the District headquarters, according to CDO Hari Prasad Mainali. Two protestors, who received bullet injuries, identified as Bihadi Dhobi (50), and Munni Kalwar (40), are undergoing treatment at Bhairahawa Medical College.

In the wake of the violence in different parts of the country over the delineation of federal provinces, the government has sent a formal letter to various agitating groups, including Madhes-based parties and Tharuhat supporters, calling on them to come forward for talks. According to the Prime Minister's Press Advisor Prateek Pradhan, the government has appealed to all agitating parties to share the historic responsibility of drafting the new statute. PM Sushil Koirala himself has been making efforts to woo the different disgruntled political parties, both inside and outside the CA, since the last few days. While he telephoned TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur about holding talks, he also held a meeting with CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya. The PM and leaders of the major political parties have also been in informal negotiations with Tharu lawmakers and leaders of the Tharuhat protests in western Nepal for the past few days.

Top leaders of major political parties urged leaders from the agitating Madhes-based political parties and other disgruntled groups to resolve differences through talks and compromise with political forces represented in the CA. Addressing the CA meeting, chiefs of major political parties, maintained that differences can be resolved through dialogue as Constitution itself is a document of compromise among political forces. Hinting at the boycott of the CA meeting by three Madhes-based political parties, they said any solution can't be found by avoiding talks.

A person, identified as Jagat Devkota of Sugarkhal VDC in Kailali District, sustained injuries while Police opened fire at him for defying curfew in Durgauli in the District. While Police tried to stop the motorcycle he was riding on for interrogation during a curfew time, Devkota had tried to flee the scene forcing the Police to open the fire targeting him. The District Administration Office has been continuously imposing curfew in Tikapur Municipality and adjacent VDCs of the District including Durgauli after violent clashes erupted in Tikapur between protesters and Police on August 24.

Despite restrictions on movement after being declared a "riot-hit area," local cadres of agitating Madhesi Morcha in Gaur in Rautahat District, set ablaze the District party office of CPN-UML. Irate locals in the District headquarters of Rautahat doused the CPN-UML office in kerosene before setting it on fire. Furniture and other essential documents in the party office turned into ashes, according to Kamal Yadav, District chair of the party.

Senior leaders and lawmakers of major political parties have stressed on promulgating the new Constitution from the CA without further delay by incorporating as much concerns as possible of various groups and communities. Taking part during the deliberations on the revised draft of the new Constitution in the CA full House meeting, leaders and lawmakers also insisted on making necessary amendments to the draft. Stating that new Constitution will be flexible for future amendments, senior leaders from major political parties tried to assure disgruntled groups that their demands could be still addressed through the CA as its process is not over.

President Ram Baran Yadav told PM Sushil Koirala, that a new Constitution should be framed without any further delay, but the major parties should try to take all stakeholders on board the Constitution making process. According to the President?s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal the President told the PM that parties should seek resolution of constitutional issues through dialogues. ?You have tried to win the confidence of all the stakeholders until now and you still need to try to do so till the final hours of the constitution making process,? Dahal quoted the President as telling the PM.

Home Minister Bamdev Gautam told parliament that as per the local administration's request, the government decided to mobilise the army. According to reports, the Tharu community is opposing the federalism model that has put Kailali and Kanchanpur Districts out of the proposed Tharuhat province. The clash on August 24, erupted after the protesters tried to defy the curfew and the prohibitory order issued by the district administration in Tikapur and Durgauli areas. Tension prevails in the area, as sporadic clashes between SF personnel and protesters have been reported. Violence was also reported from Rautahat and Saptari Districts.

As the bandh enforced by UDMF enters 14th day, it continues to affect normal life in Rautahat District. Bijaya Kishor Jha, Chairperson of Elderly Citizens Association chairperson in Rautahat, bemoaned the tug of war between the government and agitators, as well as its effects on the common public. He said the government should do the needful so that the prolonged agitation came to an end. ?Educational institutions, banks, industries, factories and transportation have been shut for days. It?s high time that the government facilitates the end to the current crisis,? Jha added.

Youths aligned to the UDMF set ablaze a billboard at the contact office of CPN-UML, CA member Ranju Thakur in Rajbiraj, the headquarters of Saptari District. According to locals, the agitators set the board ablaze in Rajdevi Chowk. The youths chanted slogans accusing Thakur of being against Madhes and sought mass resignation of the Madhesi CA members aligned to NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M.

The CPN-Maoist submitted a memorandum to President Ram Baran Yadav, objecting to the government move to deploy army in some Districts. The party also asked the President to help address people?s concerns politically to resolve the disputes recently seen in some parts of the country. A team comprising CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya met the President at the Office of the President at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu and urged him to address dissatisfaction of people over the new Constitution politically.

A group of leaders including Madhes- and Janajati-centric parties also meet President Yadav separately. FSF-N Parliamentary Party leader Ashok Kumar Rai, RJP Shiva Lal Thapa and TTPN Gopal Dahit among others were present in the meeting. The leaders also objected to the government decision regarding mobilisation of army in riot-hit zones, according to President?s Press Advisor Rajendra Dahal.

The local administration imposed curfew in Dhangadhi, the District headquarters of Kailali District for the fifth consecutive day. The curfew will come into effect from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Udaya Bahadur Singh, Assistant CDO at the DAO, Kailali informed. The administration has been imposing the curfew in the area since the violent clash that took place in Tikapur on August 24. 

Nine persons including a Policeman were injured in a clash that took place at Narayangadh, during the bandh called by the Tharu Kalyankari Sabha in Chitwan District. The clash took place after businessmen in Narayangadh exerted pressure to open markets. The Sabha had called a four-day bandh starting today, putting forth various demands including declaring Chitwan the provincial capital, implementing the past agreements signed with Tharus, among others. Police Inspector at the Ward Police Office, Narayangadh, Satya Narayan Thapa, received deep hand injury in the incident. Similarly, eight bandh enforcers were injured in the clash, said Chairman of the Tharu Kalyankari Sabha in Chitwan Bishram Mahato.

The CA meeting held has given lawmakers seven days to register the amendment proposal on the new statute bill after the deadline of the CA deliberation on it ended today. Statue Drafting Committee Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula answered the queries raised by the lawmakers before the endorsement of the statue bill. Sitaula asked the lawmakers to jointly submit the amendment proposal. Six days have been awarded to submit the amendment proposal. The lawmakers have to register their amendment proposal by September 5, said CA Chairman Subas Nembang.

Major four political parties have agreed not to halt constitution writing in any excuses. A meeting of the parties held at the Prime Minister?s official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, decided not to postpone statute making in the pretext of talks with agitating parties/groups. UCPN-M Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the meet decided to take constitution drafting and talks side by side. The meeting also concluded that is no justification for talks with preconditions.

Lawmakers from different political parties have urged the agitating groups to join the constitution writing process. Taking part in the deliberations on the amended bill of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072, lawmakers including Dr Minendra Rijal, also Minister for Information and Communications, urged the agitators to come to the talks table to get their demands met, ending the existing political impasses.

One protester was killed and four others injured in Police firing on the 16th day of the indefinite Tarai bandh called by the UDMF in Birgunj in Parsa District. UDMF has enforced indefinite strike to protest the draft Constitution and seven-province federal model proposed by the three major parties. Dilip Chaurasiya (28), a FSF-N cadre from Parsa?s Maniyari VDC, was shot in the chest during a clash that broke out near Parsa DDC. Chaurasiya was rushed to Narayani Sub-regional Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

Clashes erupted between the bandh enforcers and Police personnel at several places in Birgunj. Four agitators, including an eight-year-old child, were injured in Police firing. Eight other demonstrators were hurt in Police baton-charge, while six Police personnel sustained injuries after protesters pelted them with stones. After the situation went out of control, Parsa DAO imposed an indefinite curfew in Birgunj from 4 pm. Parsa CDO Keshav Raj Ghimire said curfew had been clamped at Ghantaghar, Maisthan, Parwanipur, Gandak, Powerhouse, Custom area, Adarshanagar, Ranighat, Baipas, Chhapkaiya in Birgunj. Defying the curfew, protesters staged rallies at Ghantaghar, Ranighat, Murli and Chhapkaiya till late evening. Agitators also set ablaze Police posts at Birgunj?s Gandak, Ranighat and Ashokbatika. They also set ablaze CPN-UML party office in Parsa.

Protesters vandalised a microbus heading to Kathmandu from Rajbiraj for defying bandh at Rupani of Raypur VDC in Saptari District. Police intervened when the protesters tried to set ablaze the microbus. Bandh organisers vandalised the CPN-UML party office and set it ablaze in Jaleswor of Mahottari District. 

Two Tharu groups - Tharu Kalyankari Sabha and Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee - staging protests against demarcation of federal units in the new Constitution told PM Sushil Koirala that they are ready for talks provided the government maintained restraint. Tharu leaders including Aman Lal Modi had reached the PM?s residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu with a response to the letter Koirala had sent to them on August 30.

CA members from various political parties have started registering their amendment proposals to the constitution bill as the CA meeting on August 30, gave them seven days to register their views on any provisions in the statute. Prem Bahadur Singh of Socialist People's Party, Shiva Lal Thapa and Sima Kumari BK of RJP and Dipak Bohara of RJP registered their amendment proposals at the CA secretariat, Singh durbar. Lawmakers can propose changes in any provision of the new constitution until September 5.

Fresh clashes have been ensued between Police and protesters at different areas of Birgunj in Parsa District. Two Madhesi Morcha protesters were seriously injured in Police firing during the clash. Dipesh Patel (17), and Sandip Patel (20), of Bahuari-6 were seriously injured in a clash ensued at Gandak Chowk.

At least four demonstrators were killed in Police firing in various places of Birgunj of Parsa and one in Kalaiya of neighbouring Bara District during violent clashes. Defying curfew, supporters of the parties affiliated with UDMF took to streets and confronted with the SF personnel. The deceased have been identified as Dharma Raj Singh (30), Bhola Sah (24), Dinanath Sah (27) and Suman Kalwar. Likewise, Hifajat Miya was killed in Police firing when the agitators tried to cross the prohibited area at Bharat Chowk of Kalaiya, the District headquarters of Bara. The number of protesters injured in Police firing has reached two dozen in Bara and Parsa so far.

Irate bandh enforces set a truck on fire near Bahuari along the Bypass Road Section in Birgunj in Parsa District. The bandh enforcers had also pelted stones at the vehicles being escorted by the SFs.

The District Security Committee, issued an indefinite prohibitory order in some areas of Janakpur District, after protesters resorted to the streets wielding lethal weapons. The DAO, Dhanusha informed that the indefinite prohibitory order has been issued from Murali Chowk to Kadam Chowk, from Uttimpur Kadam Chowk to Inland Revenue Office and from Samsanghat to the District Court in the District headquarters. Supporters of Madhesh-based parties staged demonstrations at various places in Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City and blocked the roads and burned tyres. Clashes broke out between demonstrators and SF personnel at Bhanu Chowk and Murali Chowk. More than eight rounds of tear gas shells were lobbed to disperse the violent protesters that confronted with the SF personnel, according to SP Ganesh Thapa. However, no one was injured in the clash, he added.

Chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, directed party leaders and cadres not to involve in activities disrupting ethnic and regional harmony in the name of dissatisfaction over draft of new Constitution. Addressing a gathering of party?s different fronts and organisations at the party headquarters, Dhumbarahi in Kathmandu, Chairman Oli called on all to be aware against those trying to foil the environment conducive for the promulgation of new Constitution for fulfilling their regional and ethnic interest. Urging the party cadres and leaders to involve in peace and goodwill rallies, he said, ?The CPN-UML and its organisations should be involved to create environment conducive for promulgation of new constitution to institutionalise federal republicanism gained from sacrifice and struggle of the people.?

MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar announced a new alliance, FDF, comprising of three Madhes-based political parties, at a press meet at Singha durbar, Kathmandu. The alliance has been formed to pile pressure against major political parties for revising the draft Constitution to address the issues of Madhesi people. Sharat Singh Bhandari-led NMSP and Raj Kishor Yadav-led MPRF-R are part of the front. The three parties have altogether 18 lawmakers in the CA. Going against the UDMF; Gachhadar had signed the 16-point agreement along with the three-major political parties in the CA. The alliance said it favors the eight province model outlined in the 16-point agreement as the solution to the ongoing protests at various places across the country. "Our alliance will quit the CA process if the major political parties fail to address our demands by this Saturday (September 5)," Gachchhadar said at the press meet. In the interim, Upendra Yadav-led FSFN has demanded the halt of CA process for the talks. "We urge the government and concerned political parties to halt the ongoing CA process to create an environment for dialogues," said FSFN Chairman Yadav. The party also demanded declaring the deceased protesters as martyrs, implementation of past agreement between government and Madhesi forces, withdrawal of the decision to mobilize the army in riot zones, among others. During the press meet Yadav warned of grave consequences if the government tried to use force to suppress the ongoing Madhes movement.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda directed lawmakers from his party to put in all out efforts to produce a new Constitution and brook no delay in the process now underway in the CA. Dahal also instructed the party's lawmakers to stand united against elements that are hell-bent on creating problems and eventually thwarting the ongoing Constitution-making process. "Promulgating a new constitution through the CA is our top priority at this crucial juncture. So none of us should get confused and we should all put in every effort to that end," Dahal told the lawmakers at the party's parliamentary party meeting. Dahal suggested to the party lawmakers to remain alert against the possible risks that may arise if the Constitution making process gets derailed. The UCPN-M also decided to register amendments to the Constitution bill jointly with other major parties so that they can be endorsed by a two-thirds vote in the full CA.

Madhesi and Tharu CA members of the NC threatened to register their own independent amendment proposals if their five-point demand is not addressed by the party's leadership. Altogether 58 Madhesi and Tharu CA members have demanded revision in the delineation of federal provinces, delineation of electoral constituencies based on population, an end to discriminatory provisions on citizenship based on gender, and a Constitutional guarantee to ensure proportional representation of Madhesis and Tharus in all state structures. The CA members argued that their five-point demand will address the demands put forth by the agitating parties in Tarai-Madhes and also help douse the prolonged agitation against the existing provisions in the Constitution bill. In addition, speaking in the parliamentary party meeting held at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, PM Koirala said efforts are underway to draft a new statute incorporating the demands of various marginalized groups such as Madhesi, Tharus, women and indigenous nationalities.

TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur said that his party would not sit for talks until the government halted the Constitution drafting process. Speaking at a programme organised at the Reporters? Club in Kathmandu, he said that his party would come to the negotiating table only if the government halted the ongoing process to endorse the Revised Bill of the Constitution.

Cadres and supporters of agitating parties set ablaze two Government offices--DEO and District Soil Conservation Office--in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari. They also set ablaze a jeep parked on the premises of the DEO. Agitators claimed that they set ablaze those government offices for defying their strike.

Police arrested four Maoist cadres while staging demonstrations in the riot-hit areas of Gaur, the District headquarters of Rautahat. The arrested are Upendra Sah, Jay Prakash Kausal, Sunil Sah and Rajesh Sah of MRMM, a sister wing of the UCPN-M. The UCPN-M cadres were found to be involved in intensifying the protests even as the party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda on September 2, issued a restraining order to his party's lawmakers and other rank and file, asking them not to get involved in any activities that may derail the Constitution drafting process.

The curfew imposed in Birgunj in Parsa District for the past four days has been lifted for two hours. According to Anuj Bhandari, ACDO of the DAO, the curfew has been lifted from 5 pm to 7 pm. The Administration said that the curfew has been lifted to allow locals to buy essential goods and will be resumed from 7pm for indefinite period. Normal life in the District has been affected for the past 19 days due to indefinite bandh and curfew.

The curfew that has been in place since August 24, continued in Tikapur in Kailali District. According to ACDO Udaya Bahadur Singh of Kailali, the curfew was lifted from 7:00am to 11:00am. The four hour respite started some three days ago, however, the curfew will be resumed in Tikapur and 10 other adjoining VDCs.  

Leaders from the four major political parties couldn't make any headway in talks about addressing the demands of the agitating political parties. Top leaders from NC, CPN-UML, UCPN-M and the MPRF-D couldn't reach any conclusion during an hours-long meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. The week-long deadline set by the CA to register amendments to the constitution bill is expiring on September 5.

RPP-N registered amendment proposal on the ?Revised Bill? of the new constitution at the CA Secretariat proposing Constitutional monarchy instead of republic system. It also demanded that the country be declared a Hindu state and sought decentralisation instead of federalism at a press meet organised at the party?s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. In the 24-point amendment proposal, the RPP-N defined monarchy as His Majesty, the dynasty of Prithvi Narayan Shah, follower of Arya culture and Hindu religion.

Two persons, including a head constable, were killed when agitators turned violent in Bardiya and Banke Districts. Head Constable Dev Bahadur Pandey stationed at Area Police Office Mainapokhar, Bardiya District, was killed when Tharuhat agitators hiding in a maize field fired at him when a Police team from the area Police office was clearing the road obstruction during bandh. Police have arrested three persons, identified as Abinash Chaudhary, Ramharsha Chaudhary and Naresh Chaudhary, suspecting their involvement in killing the head constable.

A bike rider, identified as Karan Singh (22), was killed after cadres of the UDMF hurled stones at him in Piprawa Chowk of Ganapur, along Neplagunj-Kohalpur road in Banke District. Bike rider Singh, who was hit on chest, was rushed to hospital but he died during treatment.

Newly formed, FDF demanded that the deadline for registering draft Constitution amendment proposal be extended so as to bring the agitating forces to the negotiating table. Coordinator of the front, Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, said extending deadline for registration of amendment proposal would help bridge gap between the ruling parties and the protesting parties. Organising a press conference, Gachhadar said if the three parties promulgated the constitution without addressing the agitators? concerns, it could intensify conflict and they would be held responsible for the consequences.

NC leader Shekhar Koirala said the country might see ethnic and religious conflict if leaders do not halt the ongoing Constitution-making process to address the concerns of agitating parties before 5:00 pm on September 5. Suspending the Constitution-making process or adopting a go-slow policy could be the initial steps towards preventing the country from a disaster. Withdrawal of Nepali Army mobilized in the riot-hit areas and release of arrested protesters would help create an environment to bring the agitating parties to the negotiation table, he said.

After the party decided not to register the amendment bill, Janajati and Madhesi CA members of the ruling NC, registered their separate amendment proposal on the revised draft of new Constitution at the parliamentary party. Nagendra Kumar, who is also the chairman of NEFIN, said 45 indigenous CA members have registered their nine-point amendment proposal on the draft constitution through Chief Whip Chin Kaji Shrestha. According to Kumar, they have demanded a separate article ensuring the rights of indigenous nationalities, proportional representation of indigenous nationalities in all organs of the state, a separate commission for indigenous nationalities and secularism.

Three major political parties?the NC, the CPN-UML and the UCPN-M ? registered a common proposal on the amendment of the revised bill of Nepal?s Constitution-2015 at the CA Secretariat. With this, a total of 46 amendment proposals were registered. NC Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha, CPN-UML Chief Whip Agni Kharel and UCPN-M Chief Whip Girirajmani Pokhrel collectively reached the CA Secretariat and filed the common proposal on the amendment of the draft constitution.

Three Madhesi political parties, including the Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar-led MPRF-D departed the CA process, reasoning the big three political parties' common proposal on amendment of the revised bill of Nepal's constitution 2015 would not resolve current crisis. The meeting of the MPRF-D, RMSP and MPRF-R, concluded that their parties so far contributed well to constitution writing process from the CA. Chief Whip of MPRF-D Yogendra Chaudhary informed that his party could not be a witness to the process that would invite further conflict in the country. He added that the common amendment proposal of the big three parties did not come in line with the aspirations of the Madhesi, indigenous nationalities, Muslim and Tharu community.

CA is all set to embark on the last leg of its long journey on September 8 and deliver the new Constitution after settling the amendment proposals and endorsing the bill of new constitution through voting. CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang, scheduled the CA meeting for 11:00am on September 8 to begin the CA?s last business ? endorsing the new constitution through the 601-member CA. ?With the closure of registering amendment proposals yesterday, the CA has entered a narrow tunnel. It can?t move back or sideways. It can only move ahead and emerge with the new constitution,? Nembang told reporters at his office in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. The CA will be able to deliver the new constitution by September 17, he said.

RPP elected Lokendra Bahadur Chand as its new chairman. According to Kiran Giri, co-spokesperson of the party, 63 out of 103 central members voted to elect Chand as the top leader of the party. This decision has removed Pashupati Shamsher Rana from the chairman?s berth. The party also submitted the signature of the Central Committee members at the Election Commission informing it about the decision made for the leadership, Giri said.

September 7

Top leaders of the NC and the UCPN-M held discussions regarding the political situation of the country at the Prime Minister?s official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu. During the meeting, the leaders discussed the amendment proposals tabled by political parties to the Constitution Bill, agitation of the Tarai-centric political parties and others. NC leader and Minister for Forests, Mahesh Acharya, said that his party was for promulgating the constitution based on consensus, coordination and unity among the political parties. Also, UCPN-M Vice-Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that discussions were held on the demands put forth by the agitating Madhesi parties.

Chairman of the CA Subas Chandra Nembang told leaders of the major parties to make utmost effort to address the agitators? issues through the registered amendment bills. ?I had told the leaders time and again to utilise the allocated time to the fullest to address the demands of disgruntled groups but to no avail,? Chairman Nembang said.

MJF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, blamed the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M for the ongoing political instability and unrest in the country. Addressing a mass meeting organised by Tharu Struggle Committee in Itahari, Sunsari, Gachhadar charged that the three major parties? decision to bring out the seven-province federal model by going against the 16-point agreement had plunged the country into violent protest.

As many as 15 NC leaders and activists, including lawmaker Mithu Malla, tendered their resignation from their party?s general membership expressing dissatisfaction with the demarcation of provinces in the proposed federal set up, which had split Rukum. The disgruntled NC leaders and activists handed over their joint resignation to party president and the Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at his official residence in Baluwatar.

DAO, Kailali lifted curfew order for four hours in Tikapur. ACDO Udaya Bahadur Singh said that curfew was lifted from 7:00am to 11:00am.

The RPP-N said it would fight to remove secularism from the Constitution and restore the Hindu state instead, till the last moment of Constitution drafting process. A central committee meeting of the party, decided that the party would be active to establish its agendas in the constitution till the last minute, party co-spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said in a statement after the meeting. The party would hold a meeting of extended central committee before September 17, which would be followed by a ?grand demonstration? to pile pressures for the Hindu state, Shrestha added.

September 8

At least 26 protesters were injured when SF personnel used force during demonstration staged by Madhesi parties at Bhanu Chowk in Janakapurdham in Janakpur. Police resorted to lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the protesters as they entered the prohibited zone. The local administration had declared certain areas ? from Bhanu Chowk to Railway Station, from Kadam Chowk to Murali Chowk via Parikrama Road, from Utimpur to District Treasury Controller Officer, from Ganga Sagar to the District Court ? prohibited zones from 1 pm this afternoon.

Several Tarai-based parties, including Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led MJF-D, boycotted the Constitution drafting process. Gachhadar, who claims to have facilitated the 16-point agreement between the four major parties, including MJF-D, that led the nation towards drafting new Constitution, handed over a protest letter to CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang, stating that the party would boycott the Constitution drafting process from today.

With all major Madhes-based political parties boycotting the CA process, the big political parties have started informal talks for holding dialogue with the disgruntled political parties. CA Chairman Nembang also drew the attention of the leadership of major political parties to approach the political parties boycotting the CA process at a three-party meeting held on CA premises. At the meeting, major political parties have decided to approach the Bijay Gachhadar-led MJF-D and other Madhes-based political parties for talks.

DPM Bamdev Gautam said that new constitution would be promulgated despite protest within Constituent Assembly and on the street. Speaking at the launching of Enhancing Good Governance, Human Rights Protection and Law Enforcement Situation in Security Agencies and Criminal Justice Actors in Nepal Project, DPM Gautam said constitution drafting process will not halt just because of the protests.

September 9

Police arrested Tharu leader Laxman Tharu from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi District, in connection with August 24 Kailali incident. According to Police sources, Tharu was arrested from the house of Devi Chaudhary for his alleged involvement in August 24 Kailali carnage in which nine people including a minor and eight Police officers were killed. Tharu is a central member of the MPRF-D.

Three protesters in Jaleshwar of Mahottari District and one in Bhardaha of Saptari District were killed in Police firings. Roshan Chaudhary of Jaleshwar Municipality-7, Rambibek Yadav of Mahottari VDC-5 and Amit Kapar of Jaleshwar Municipality-14 were killed in Mahottari District. The three were admitted to Jaleshwar Hospital where they breathed their last, according to Dr Satish Sah. Likewise, Ram Kisun Raut (60), of Portaha VDC-1, Saptari was also killed in Police firing. He had sustained bullet injuries to the chest and later succumbed to his injuries. Among 50 others injured during the clash with Police in Mahottari, three have been airlifted to the capital from Janakpur Zonal Hospital. The clash had ensured after locals and cadres of the agitating UDMF who had gathered at Jaleshwar, District headquarters of Mahottari, pelted stones at the District Police office in the course of demonstrations. Police baton-charged the demonstrators, lobbed over 60 tear gas shells and fired in the air to bring the situation under control.

Following the clash, DAO, Mahottari issued an indefinite prohibitory order in the Jaleshwar area effective from 4:30 p.m., informed CDO Dipak Kafle. As per the DAO, the violent situation was brought under control through heavy deployment of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel. To avert further violence, the DAO clamped an indefinite curfew in Jaleshwar area, CDO Kafle said. Similarly, in Saptari, the DAO clamped a curfew at Bhardaha from 2 p.m.- till 6 a.m., for two days. Two demonstrators, Bijay Khidahari Yadav and Anil Thakur, sustained injuries from rubber bullets during the clash between Police and protesters.

Chiefs of the three major political parties -- NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M -- issued a joint statement, calling on the agitating political parties to seek solutions for the latter's demands in Constitution making. PM Sushil Koirala, who is also NC president, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, in the joint statement, urged the disgruntled political parties to immediately end the vandalism and other violent activities and seek solutions through peaceful means.

With the constitution-making process coming to an end, RPP-N, the fourth largest party in the CA, decided to boycott the process. A central committee meeting of the party held at Chairman Kamal Thapa's residence at Bishalnagar reached the conclusion to stay away from the remaining process of the CA. With the RPP-N shunning the process, the numbers of political parties quitting the CA deliberations have reached 11 with 82 lawmakers, including one independent CA member. All major Madhesh-based political parties including FSP-N and MPRF-D - the fifth and sixth largest parties in the CA respectively - have already boycotted the process.

September 10

As many as seven protesters associated with the UDMF were arrested by Police from Ghantaghar, Birgunj in Parsa District. According to Parsa DAO, the protesters were arrested when they tried to affect peace and security in the region by chanting slogans and demonstrating in the riot-hit area.

A meeting of the District Security Committee took a decision to clamp indefinite curfew, beginning September 11, morning, in Janakpur town, in view of fragile security situation, of late. The curfew will be imposed from Kapileshwor to Pulchowk area in the eastern section, from Belapur to Pindari Chowk in the west, District Education Office in the south and from Baba Petrol Pump to the road leading to Dhanushadham in the north.

The local Administration declared different areas of the Sunsari District as riot-affected zone following protesters aligned to Madhesi Morcha hit the streets with home-made weapons in the different areas of the District. The areas from Koshi Barrage to Itahari and Budhi kola of Duhabi to Itahari have been declared as crisis-hit zone. CDO, Rabilal Pantha confirm the move and said that security situation in the District has been tightened with the mobilization of army.

The DAO of Mahottari issued curfew order in Jaleshwar, a day after three people were killed there. Nepal Army personnel were deputed in the area from 8 in the morning to maintain law and order.

Leaders and lawmakers of various political parties insisted that Constitution should not be delayed any further under any pretext, as the CA has already invested in the Constitution making effort. While agitating Madhes-based political parties have been demanding halt to the CA process, leaders and lawmakers of major political parties have opposed the demand. Airing their views during the deliberations on the Constitution bill at the CA meeting, NC Vice-President Ram Chandra Paudel, CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal, and UCPN-M lawmaker Goma Kunwar however urged the agitating parties to sit for talks if they want their demands addressed.

A day after RPP-N decided to boycott the Constitution making process, three major political parties -- NC, CPN-UML and the UCPN-M -- urged the RPP-N not to boycott the statute making process. NC President and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda urged RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa to participate in the constitution making process during a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

NHRC said that former Maoist combatants were present among the protesters during the Tikapur carnage in Kailali District on August 24, in which eight Police personnel and a toddler were killed. The commission claimed that its investigations found the involvement of ex-Maoist combatants in the crowds of protesters who came to Tikapur from Joshipur village on the day of the carnage. In a press release issued by NHRC spokesperson Mohana Ansari, the commission also claimed that the protesters became furious after Police hurled tear-gas shells and opened fire. The mob then lynched the security personnel.

September 11

Two protestors and one Policeman in Jaleshwor in Mahottari District and three protestors in Janakpur in Dhanusha District were killed, which marked the 28th day of agitations across the Tarai region. A clash between agitators and SF personnel had ensued in Jaleshwar, District headquarters of Mahottari, after the former staged demonstrations in defiance of curfew orders. Police lobbed over 40 teargas shells and fired 10 rounds in the air to bring the situation under control. The Policeman killed by agitators has been identified as Thaman Bahadur Bishwakarma, an ASI of the APF. The deceased agitators have been identified as Ramshila Thakur (35), of Hattilet VDC, and Ganesh Chaudhary (60), of Jaleshwar Municipality. Thakur was said to be a local leader of RPP-N. Chaudhary, the other deceased, was the grandfather of Rohan Chaudhary, who was killed in Police firing during September 9, protests. 

The other three persons killed in Dhanusha are identified as Dilip Poudel of Sinurajoda, Nitu Yadav of Jamuniya and Sanjay Chaudhari. Chaudhary was District ?secretary? of the Rajendra Mahato-led SP. Fifty three others were injured during the protests. Most of them have sustained head injuries as well as injuries to the chest and arms, according to the hospital. Protestors had tried to enter the restricted areas at Kapileshwar, Piradi Chowk, Bajrang Chowk, Jiromaikal, Murali Chowk and Hanuman Nagar in Janakpur throughout the day.

The Home Ministry of Nepal said inhumane and barbaric activities were being perpetrated during the agitation being led by the JDMF in Tarai region. Issuing a press statement, evening, the Home Ministry said torture to the SF personnel and their families and killing with sprinkle of petro is a savage activity.

Three major parties ? the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M, decided to halt the constitution-making process for two days and invite the protesting forces to sit for talks. The protesting forces, the UDMF and Tharuwan/Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee, however, rejected the talks offer again, saying they were not against talks but they could not hold dialogue without the government withdrawing the Nepali Army, normalizing situation in the Tarai Districts, providing compensation to the kin of those killed in Police firing and free treatment to the injured persons.

September 12

President Ram Baran Yadav registered his suggestions on the Constitution bill. CA Chairman Subas Nembang confirmed that he had received suggestions from the president on September 11. "He has given suggestions on the constitution bill to the big three parties," Nembang said. The president also suggested to show maximum flexibility to seek consensus among the parties.

September 13

Tension ran high at Rupani along the East-West Highway in Saptari District as protesters clashed with SF personnel. Defying the curfew and declaration of riot-hit zone, about 500 people, apparently, cadres and supporters of UDMF demonstrated at Rupani. Police detained SP?s central member Dinesh Yadav and District secretary, Hareram Yadav, and some student?s leaders from Rupani. Further, the UDMF cadres vandalised and set fire on an office of NC at Rajbiraj-1.

A NA squad defused a powerful pressure-cooker bomb planted near the NC party office at Siraha Municipality-7. A bomb disposal team of the NA had disposed of the IED found at the house of Ranjit Yadav, a local.

The CA began clause-wise voting on Constitution bill, setting the stage for the promulgation of new constitution within a few days. At the beginning of the voting, the CA meeting endorsed the first three articles--Article 1 to Article 3--of the new Constitution by an overwhelming majority of the CA through voice votes. The Article 1 and Article 2 were endorsed unanimously by the CA members present at the meeting, while the Article 3 was passed by a majority. In the 601-member CA, two seats have remained vacant since its formation as political parties didn't nominate any lawmaker for these positions. Also, the seat that has been lying vacant after the death of RPP?s Surya Bahadur Thapa is yet to be filled. With SP lawmaker Sanjay Sah under suspension and 57 lawmakers from various Madhes-based parties boycotting the ongoing CA process, the effective strength of the CA at present is 597. As the three major political parties - NC (206), CPN-UML (183) and UCPN-M (84) - with support from some other small political parties have stood united in favor of producing the new constitution, the process of endorsing the constitution bill with two-thirds majority is expected to be completed smoothly within the next few days. Officials at the CA secretariat said that they have made all preparations with a plan to promulgate new Constitution by September 18 or 19. "If everything goes as planned, we will endorse the constitution bill by September 17 and introduce it next day," said Nembang.

As the CA began clause-wise voting on the Constitution Bill, the Madhes-based parties said that their agenda was bulldozed and they would continue their protests. "The way the major three parties are moving ahead, they are pushing the country into serious crisis. We'll keep protesting. We (the parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front, UDMF) will discuss the scenario soon and come up with further protest programs," said Upendra Yadav, chairman of FSF-N.

The CA members of UCPN-M withdrew amendment proposal to the constitution bill registered earlier. They had withdrawn the proposal prior to the CA meeting. According to vice spokesperson of CA Secretariat Sudarshan Kuikel the UCPN-M lawmakers had withdrawn the personal amendment proposal. Prabhu Sah and Santa Kumar Tharu, among others, of the UCPN-M had registered the proposal.

September 14

A group of people carrying yellow and saffron flags and demanding that Nepal be declared Hindu state clashed with SF personnel at New Baneshwar area in Kathmandu. Police resorted to lathi charge and used water cannon to disperse the agitating Hindu activists as the latter dismantled the barricade and tried to enter the prohibitory area near the CA building.

The government alerted all security agencies to remain vigilant following the CA's announcement, to introduce the new Constitution on September 20. Security has been beefed up for key political leaders and at vital buildings related to Constitution-making process as well as in the riot-hit zones of the Tarai Districts. Keeping in view the possibility of violence in the Tarai Districts after the release of the Constitution, a special task force of Nepal Police and APF has already been put in place with orders to remain watchful round the clock.

Chairman of SP Rajendra Mahato said that he is not against talks with the government. Talking to journalists at Mahottari, Mahato said that the agitating parties would sit for talks if the government creates an environment conducive for the dialogue. He said they were ready to hold talks with the government at any place in Madhes if the authorities lift curfew and call back army personnel. Chairman Mahato, however, said that Madhesh agitation would continue until their rights were established.

The CA decided to promulgate the new Constitution of the country on September 20, amid a special ceremony at the CA building. CA Chairman Subas Nembang confirmed the decision. "I have set the date for promulgating the new Constitution for September 20 at 5 pm after consulting with the top leaders of major political parties," Nembang said. He said, he fixed the date after consulting PM and NC President Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli and UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. If the Constitution making process goes as per the plan, the CA secretariat expects the rest of the process of Constitution-making to conclude within a few days. With the completion of the ongoing clause-wise voting process, the CA will hold vote division on the Constitution Bill in a bulk. Then the lawmakers will sign the constitution and the CA chairman will certify the bill and hand it over to the president for promulgation. "After the CA chairman certifies the constitution bill, he will hand over the copy of the statute to the president for signing and declaring the commencement of new constitution amid a special ceremony," reads the rule 110 of CA regulations.

Resuming the clause-wise voting on the Constitution Bill, a two-thirds majority of the CA meeting, endorsed the seven-province federal model among other various important articles. The major articles endorsed by the meeting include federalism, secularism, citizenship provisions, fundamental rights and the state's directive principles and policies. The issues related to federal model, secularism and citizenship provisions were among the most disputed provisions in the entire constitution-making process. The CA meeting on September 13, had endorsed only the first three articles while the sitting on September 14, resumed the voice-voting and passed 54 more articles. The next CA meeting will resume the clause-wise voting on September 15.

RPP-N, registered amendment proposal against the Clause 4 of the Constitution Bill that describes Nepal as a secular country. The proposal was rejected by the two-thirds majority of the CA. Before allowing the voting process to proceed, CA Chairman Subas Nembang had announced that the amendment proposal was rejected by the majority, but RPP-N chief Kamal Thapa insisted for vote division. After the key agenda of his party was rejected by the CA, RPP-N Chairman Thapa lamented that the party failed to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state. Later, Thapa expressed his discontent through a twitter post: "Respected Nepali brothers and sisters, we failed to make Nepal a Hindu state in the constitution. We became alone. None, except Akhanda Nepal Party supported us. We are feeling sad."

The Article 289 of Part 35 for Transitional Arrangement, which envisages a federal commission to fix boundaries of seven purported federal units as stated in Schedule 4, is yet to put on vote. According to the article, the commission would be formed within six months of the promulgation of new charter with its mandate for a year. In the wake of violent protests, the major parties ? NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M? decided to set up the commission to fix provincial boundaries.

Agitating Tharu leaders said that they are positive about sitting for talks with government and major political parties after the prime minister expressed commitment to address their concerns. "We have received a letter from the prime minister with commitment to address our demands. We are positive about sitting for talks," said Tharu leader Raj Kumar Lekhi. UCPN-M lawmaker and Tharu leader Aman Lal Modi said that a meeting of the Tharuhat Struggle Committee to be held on September 16, will decide how to respond to the prime minister's letter.

September 15

A bomb went off in Surunga Police Post in Jhapa District, injuring two persons, according to the District Police Office. Two persons including ASI Dev Narayan Yadav have sustained minor injuries in the bomb blast. DSP Bhim Dahal said that the injured are receiving treatment at the Birtamod-based B and B Hospital.  

Three persons, identified as Bindu Lakaul (40), Ranjana Singh Kshetri (16), and Raj Kumar Barai (35) of Bethari, killed on the spot at Bethari of Rupandehi District, as Madhesi protestors clashed with the Police, while Kundan Kumar Patel, a four-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Universal Medical College in Bhairahwa. All three of them sustained bullet injuries during the clash. A clash had ensued after protestors pelted stones at Police vehicles escorting three trucks loaded with various commodities toward Bhairahwa. Police resorted to firing teargas canisters at the protestors. As the protestors refused to retreat, Police opened fire in the air and then used rubber bullets at the demonstrators. Four Police personnel were also injured in the incident, according to the Police. Later, local administration of Rupandehi in the evening clamped curfew order till 6 am next morning.

UDMF resorted to vandalism and arson with its cadres torching various industries in Bara District. After Parsa DAO declared Birgunj riot-hit area, hundreds of cadres affiliated to UDMF took out a motorcycle rally at Gandak Chowk outside Birgunj municipal area. The agitators riding motorcycles headed for Jitpur and forced open the godown of Saurav Enterprises located on the roadside at Lipalimal of Bara and vandalised the store. The agitators also vandalised a container of Nimbus Group loaded with pulse. They damaged the container?s windows and spilled the pulse all over the floor. The demonstrators damaged the windows of seven trucks parked on the premises of Nimbus Group. After the incident, security has been tightened along the Birgunj-Parwanipur road section.

Area Police Office Simara town in Bara District, arrested TMDP General Secretary Jitendra Sonal and Bara District Chairman Nabkishor Singh. Inspector Purusottam Khadka said Police had arrested Sonal and Singh for their alleged involvement in vandalism and arson at Saurav Enterprises. They were arrested from Nitanpur City in Bara.

The CA unanimously endorsed a motion to announce the commencement of the new Constitution on September 20. NC chief whip Chinkaji Shrestha had presented the motion, proposing the date for the announcement of commencement of new charter. The chief whips of two other parties ?CPN-UML Agni Prasad Kharel and UCPN-M Giriraj Mani Pokharel ? seconded it. The motion was tabled at the CA as per the Rule 49 of the CA Rules, and the date was proposed on a par with the Rule 110 (3).

The Rule 110(3) of the CA Rules says that the CA shall organise a formal national ceremony on the date fixed for the commencement of the constitution and the CA chairman shall submit a copy of the constitution ? the Revised Bill on the draft constitution signed by the CA members and authenticated by the CA Chairman after its endorsement ? to the President.  The same rule says that the President shall sign on the copy and proclaim to the people that the new constitution has commenced.

The CA meeting endorsed 119 articles of the Constitution Bill through voice votes, giving continuity to the clause-wise voting process that was set in motion from September 13. That takes the number of articles endorsed so far by the CA to 176. The officials at the CA secretariat expect the clause-wise voting on all the 302 articles to conclude by September 16, evening. The CA full House had endorsed only three articles on September 13. But by September 15, the CA had voted on 58 articles covering major issues of the new constitution such as republican system, the provisions on president and vice-president, parliamentary system, federal and provincial parliaments and the judiciary, among other issues. Of the total 119 articles endorsed, 56 articles were passed unanimously, while the rest were passed by two-thirds majority. Of them, 23 articles were endorsed with amendments as proposed by the three major political parties.

September 16

An overwhelming majority of the CA endorsed the Constitution of Nepal-2015 through the four-day-long rigorous voting process. In a vote division conducted, 507 CA members voted in favor of the new constitution while 25 members voted against it. Those voting against the bill were members of RPP-N. "Total 507 members have voted in favor of the proposal to approve the revised constitution bill while 25 members have voted against the proposal," CA Chairman Subas Nembang announced at the meeting. "Thus, this meeting has endorsed the new constitution with over two-thirds majority votes of this CA." As he made the announcement, all the lawmakers kept on clapping and thumping on the tables and started congratulating each other at the hall. Of the total 598 CA members, 532 were present at the meeting.

Briefing to diplomatic community in Kathmandu, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said over 92 percent of the people's representatives are taking part in the constitution making process although a few Madhes-based parties have chosen to stay away from the process. Minister Pandey said although a few Madhes-based parties have taken to the streets there has been adequate representation from the region in the CA.

Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led MJF-D set four conditions for joining the Constitution-making process. According to General Secretary of MJF-D Ramjanam Chaudhari, his party put forth four conditions ? changes in the current boundaries of the federal units, guarantee of proportional inclusion in all the organs of the state, continuity of the Interim Constitution?s provision on electoral constituencies and powers to the provinces to choose their own official language in their respective provinces. Chaudhari said his party would join the constitution-making process only after the three major parties incorporated the changes in the constitution as demanded by his party. ?We are not going to accept the constitution if our demands are not addressed in the constitution. They must meet our demands if they want us to endorse the constitution,? Chaudhari added.

The Tharuhat/Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee, decided to hold dialogue with the three major parties on the constitutional issues. Chaudhari said the protesting Tharu forces decided to hold talks with the heads of the three parties, instead of the prime minister. ?We decided to hold dialogue with the chiefs of the three parties because, otherwise, if we reach any deal with the prime minister, the major parties might not accept the deal,? he added.

September 17

Top leaders of three major political parties -- the NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M -- are reportedly close to a deal with MPRF-D following a marathon talks between them. MPRD-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has been demanding a separate Tharu province. According to sources, the signing of the agreement could not be done as he sought more time for party-internal meeting although a four-point agreement paper was ready.

The top leaders of three major political parties, also held talks with leaders of Tharuhat Struggle Committee, which has been leading protests demanding changes in the seven-province federal model adopted in the new Constitution, at the prime minister's official residence Baluwatar, Kathmandu. The Tharu leaders set forth some conditions before the top leaders for entering into the major agenda item related to the provincial delineation. They demanded that the government withdraw the cases filed at courts against their cadres on charges of being involved in violent protests, declare those protestors who died during recent protests as martyrs, provide compensation to the families of the deceased and provide free treatment to the injured protestors.

The UDMF decided to keep the door for talks open, while intensifying their agitation. Issuing a press release in Kathmandu, UDMF said the new Constitution would not bring an end to inequality and discrimination against the marginalised community and the front would organise silent walk with black flags across Madhes to protest the promulgation of new Constitution on September 20.

UDMF of Saptari chapter also made public fresh protest programmes in Saptari District. Issuing a statement on behalf of the front, Information and Communication Committee Coordinator Amarnath Mandal said the front would stage a torch rally in Rajbiraj in the District on September 19, hoist black flags in various places and people would tie black bands on their arms in symbolic protest on September 20, and hold a mass gathering in Rajbiraj with the slogan: ?Let?s go to Rajbiraj and defy the new constitution by burning it as the statute is against the welfare of the Madhesi people, on September 21.?

September 18

The CA members started signing on the amended bill of new Constitution that was passed with two-thirds majority on September 16. An arrangement has been made for the CA members to sign on the corrected bill at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Lhotse Hall of the CA Building, in the presence of CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang.

The CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang certified the new constitution after 537 lawmakers signed on five copies of the new Constitution amidst a function at the CA Building in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu. According to sources at the parliament secretariat, some of those who had remained absent in voting on September 16, but appeared at CA building to sign on the copies. Though only 532 CA members had participated in the final vote division on the constitution bill on September 16, the number of lawmakers signing on the copy increased to 537. In the voting, 507 lawmakers had voted in favor of the bill while 25 from the RPP-N voted against it. The new Constitution bill was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the CA full House on September 16. The new Constitution will come into effect once President Ram Baran Yadav unveils it on September 20, evening.

The talks between major three parties and MPRF-D led by Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar ended inconclusively. According to MPRF-D General Secretary Ram Janam Chaudhary, both sides had agreed on adopting policies for proportional, inclusive representation electoral constituencies' delimitation based on the size of the population and settling the issue of provincial delineation through political consensus. The dialogue petered out after the two of the three major political parties refused to mention the words 'Tarai-Madhes' on the agreement paper as demanded by the MPRF-D. "UCPN (Maoist) was positive on our demand, but CPN-UML and some leaders of NC were resolute against writing 'Tarai-Madhes' on the agreement paper. When they are not ready even to mention 'Tarai-Madhes' on the agreement paper, how can we continue the talks," said Chaudhary.

Rajendra Mahato-led SP, which is a part of UDMF, is coordinating with Jay Prakash Gupta, coordinator of Terai-Madhes Jagaran Abhiyan, and Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist- Matrika to form a new alliance. Following a meeting held in Birgunj in Parsa District, Gupta informed that his discussion with Mahato and Yadav centered on developing a new modality for agitation. "We had been observing how the government was dealing with Madhesi people during the demonstrations. So we focused on creating new ways of giving continuity to the protests," said Gupta.

As many as 14 central leaders of UCPN-M, from the Tarai-Madhes region, stated that they would not comply with the party?s decision to welcome the new Constitution and hold celebrations. They instead criticised the party for agreeing with NC and CPN-UML to promulgate the new Constitution, which they claimed was discriminatory. ?The party?s decision to celebrate the victory without assessing critical situation in Madhes-Tharuhat, joining hands with Congress and UML, is intolerable and painful for us,? read a statement issued by them. The new constitution fails to include all and endorsing it is suicidal, the leaders commented, adding, ?It does not serve interests of the nation, people and the party.? They have urged the party to withdraw from the constitution promulgation process and launch protests. Signatories include Maoist politburo members Ram Chandra Jha, Bishwanath Sah, Prabhu Sah and Mahendra Paswan; central committee members Ram Rijhan Yadav, Ram Kumar Sharma, Hakikulla Khan, Bharat Sah, Ghanashyam Yadav, Ram Chandra Mandal, Upendra Prasad Sah and Chinak Kurmi; and central advisors Kalamuddin Rain and Ramesh Ranjan Jha.

September 19

A cylinder bomb went off at Area Police Station, Lamahi located at Lamahi Municipality -1, Deaukhuri in Dang District. Police informed that an unidentified group had detonated the bomb in the Police Station. According to Area Police Office, Lamahi, no human casualties has been reported so far.

The UDMF took out a torch rally in Rajbiraj in Saptari District. Hundreds of people coming from various villages staged the torch rally, which converged into a mass meeting at Dasan Chowk. The rally was taken out to protest the new statute scheduled to be promulgated on September 20. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the statute saying that it was anti-Madheshi. The speakers at the meeting said they would mark the day as a black day.

September 20

One protester was killed in Police firing when UDMF agitators defied curfew and staged a rally in Birgunj to protest the promulgation of new constitution. Shatrudhan Patel died after a bullet fired by Police hit him in head while the agitators clashed with Police personnel at Maisthan Gitamandir in Birgunj in Parsa District. As many as six protesters were injured in the incident. Eleven agitators were also hurt when the Police baton charged them. Three Police personnel, including Inspector Sekh Adalat, were also injured after agitators hurled stones at them.

Protesters of Tharuwan Struggling Committee torched a motorcycle at Deaukhuri for defying bandh.

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist-Chand set ablaze a truck for defying a strike in Ghasikuwa in Tanahun District. According to SP Mohan Kumar Acharya, a team of seven to eight agitators set the truck on fire in the morning. Police informed that the truck was partially damaged by arson.

Police arrested six bandh enforcers of different political parties from Bisheshwor in Lamjung District. Police informed that a cadre from UDMF, two from FSF-N and three from CPN-Maoist were arrested from different parts of Bisheshwor for enforcing the bandh.

Nepal?s decades-long wait for the new Constitution through people?s representatives is over, as President Ram Baran Yadav, announced the commencement of the new Constitution during the CA meeting-cum-special function organised at the CA?s regular meeting venue. CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang requested President Yadav to sign the designated page to proclaim the commencement of the new Constitution, Yadav bowed his head to each of the five copies before signing them. He then read out the text: ?I announce, before Nepali people, that the Nepal?s Constitution, endorsed by CA, authenticated by CA chairman and presented here, has commenced today ? 20 September 2015.? ?Endorsed by people?s representatives, this constitution is the document of our common commitment for protecting freedom, geographic integrity, independence and sovereignty vested in people,? Yadav said.

The CA transformed into the Parliament, after successfully promulgating the new Nepal?s Constitution 2072 with the overwhelming two-thirds majority. At the final meeting of the constitution writing body, CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang announced dissolution of the CA, as per Article 296 of the new Constitution. The CA, now, will transform into the Legislature-Parliament, as per the Constitution. Before announcing the dissolution, Nembang had read out major tasks of the CA since the first election to the constitution drafting body in 2008. ?Successful implementation of the Constitution, however, is challenging,? Nembang said, ?It?s signs are already in front of us now.? The political leadership has to show its competence with wisdom in implementation of the historic document, he said. He claimed that the constitution drafting process was democratic, inclusive and participatory.

Hinting toward agitating Madhes-centric parties, Nembang said there is still adequate space for amendment to improve it. ?There are still many shortcomings, and all?s wishes might have not been fulfilled,? the CA Chair acknowledged, ?May there be unity among parties in its implementation.? The CA, elected from the second CA elections on November 19, 2013, had held its first meeting on January 22, 2014. The CA sat for 135 times, including 130 full meetings, in 130 days, according to Nembang.

Unidentified persons exploded a LPG cylinder bomb about 100 metres away from Mukesh Complex in Lamki Chuha-2, Lamki Bazaar in Kailali District.

Agitating Tharu protesters set fire to two Police posts and VDC office in Dhangadhi in Kailali District. Pawera VDC office and Chhotki Paliya Police Post in the same VDC and Rampur Police Post of Ratanpur VDC were set ablaze.

Cadres of the agitating Madesh-centric political parties vandalised an ambulance that was heading to receive a patient at Sarauchiya in Biratnagar in Morang District.

UDMF cadres vandalized and set ablaze the houses of CA members and NC leaders Radhe Chandra Yadav and Lalbabu Singh in Kalaiya municipality in Bara District.

Police personnel clashed with protesters when the latter tried to vandalise the house of NC CA member Farmullah Mansur and the party offices of NC and CPN-UML in Kalaiya municipality in Bara District. Some leaders and cadres including TMDP central member Jitendra Singh were injured.

Protesters set fire to the house of CPN-UML CA member Raj Kumar Gupta at Ranighat of Birgunj in Parsa District. House belongings were thrown out of the house and set ablaze.

Agitators sprinkled petrol and set the house of CPN-UML CA member Kamala Devi Mahato on fire at Malangawa of Sarlahi District. Five agitators were injured after Police opened fire when protesters tried to pelt stones at a fire engine that was heading to douse the fire at Mahato?s house.

Six protesters were injured when Police clashed with them while agitators were burning copies of the statute in Garuda bazaar, Rautahat District.

Three locals were injured when Police opened fire to disperse a mob at Mahabir Chowk in Biratnagar District. Police constable Sanjay Mandal was also injured in the incident.

UDMF cadres burnt copies of new Constitution in Gauragunj and Khajuragachhi of Jhapa District. Police arrested four persons including Tarai Madhes Party?s Jhapa Chairman Trinarayan Rajbanshi from Birtamode.

PM Sushil Koirala told the meeting of the NC Central Working Committee that he would tender resignation from the post of the PM as soon as he returned from New York on October 3.

FSF-N Central Chairman Upendra Yadav addressing a mass gathering at Gajendrachowk in Saptari District warned that their protest would continue until autonomous Madhes Pradesh was declared.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda addressing a ceremony at Tundikhel in Kathmandu said ?people?s era? has begun with the promulgation of Nepal?s Constitution, 2072.

Three SF personnel were injured when protesters threw petrol bomb at them at Maisthan in Parsa District. The protesters defied the prohibitory order and staged demonstrations against the new Constitution at various places.

Protesters vandalized NC leader and lawmaker Rajendra Bahadur Amatya?s house in Birgunj town of Parsa District.

President Ram Baran Yadav and PM Sushil Koirala held discussions at Sheetal Niwas on contemporary political issues. During the meeting they discussed on addressing the agitation launched in the Tarai-Madhesh immediately.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda during a meeting held with the Tharu lawmakers and leaders at his residence in Lazimpat said that he is making efforts to address the demands put forth by the Tharu community.

General Secretary of SP Manish Kumar Suman said ?We cannot think of loosening the ongoing agitation. We would rather intensify our agitation by imposing effective blockade and closure of government offices.?

In a fresh bid to intensify its agitation, UDMF after a meeting in Rajbiraj of Saptari District decided to block all the major highways and customs points bordering India.

Eight persons including two Policemen and six protesters were injured in a clash between the UDMF demonstrators and Police at a border point near Birgunj in Parsa District.

Cadres of UDMF torched the house of Binod Yadav, a regional secretary of NC in Makwanpur District. The group was led by Jitendra Sah, Shiva Chandra Kushwaha and Ram Kishor Yadav.

A meeting of the three major parties ? NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M - decided to renew their call for dialogue to protesting Madhesi and Tharu forces. They also decided to launch a national and international campaign to highlight the major aspects of the newly adopted constitution.

UCPN-M senior leader Baburam Bhattarai in a press statement said ?As most demands of protesters are similar to the note of dissents formally registered by the UCPN-Maoist in the Constituent Assembly. I express my support and solidarity to the demands. The hills and mountains cannot sleep well while the Tarai-Madhes, which houses half of the population, is burning.?

The imports of petroleum and other supplies from India and third countries have been lying at Indo-Nepal border areas near Biratnagar due to the blockade imposed by UDMF.

Rajesh Man Singh, a leader of the agitating UDMF, said, ?We?ll continue our protests until the government fulfills our demands.?

President Ram Baran Yadav summoned the winter session of Parliament starting October 2 in accordance with a provision in the new statute that makes it mandatory for the president to call the House session within seven days of the commencement of the new Constitution.

UDMF and FDA agreed to form a broader alliance to make their agitation a success. The talks team of the UDMF and the FDA held talks on unity for their crusade against the ?discriminatory provisions in the new Constitution.?

UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai quit his party and also resigned as MP. Bhattarai said the justification of UCPN-M had ended with the promulgation of the new Constitution. He also indicated to form his own political "force" within a couple of months, amid differences with the major Nepalese political parties over the new Constitution.

10 persons including seven agitators and three passengers were injured when agitating cadres of UDMF vandalized 50 vehicles for defying the bandh at Bhardaha of Saptari District.

NC Vice-President, Ram Chandra Poudel, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Mahesh Acharya, central member Ananda Dhungana, and Chairman of TMDP Mahantha Thakur, and leaders Hridayesh Tripathi and Sarbendra Nath Sukla, held a meeting at Sanothimi-based residence of TMDP Chairman Thakur.

Three major political parties ?NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M ? after a meeting held at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala?s residence in Baluwatar formed a three member team comprising UCPN-M leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, NC leader Mahesh Acharya and CPN-UML leader Agni Prasad Kharel.

Supporting the protest of Madhes-based parties with strong words, VP Paramananda Jha urged the political parties to have meaningful and result-oriented dialogue to address the demands of Tarai-Madhes.

NC leaders and lawmakers representing different Tarai-Madhes Districts put forward three suggestions for amending the new constitution to address the Tarai-Madhes protest.

Seven UDMF cadres were injured when the Police baton charged on them for blocking former leader of UCPN-M Baburam Bhattarai?s vehicle at Airport Chowk in Dhanusa District.

UDMF cadres crossed the Nepal-India border in Bhairahawa and pelted stones at the Police. Police arrested two UDMF cadres for their alleged involvement in hurling stones.

Three-member team formed by the major parties to hold talks with the agitating Madhes-based parties separately met with the disgruntled leaders and urged them to back down the blockade in border areas to start political negotiations.

CPN-UML proposed 79 out of 165 constituencies under FPTP election system for 20 Districts of Tarai-Madhes.

Santosh Chaudhary, a driver, was injured when the agitating Madhesi cadres vandalized an ambulance in Morang District at Karsiya Bazaar.

UDMF decided to sit for talks with Government in principle to end the ongoing political stalemate in the country.

A clash erupted between Police and protesters in Chandranigahapur along the East-West Highway of Rautahat District when the Police tried to refrain the leaders and cadres of UDMF and TKS while they were heading to obstruct the Highway. No injuries were reported.

Government initiated to amend the constitution. The Cabinet decided to direct the Ministry for Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs to begin necessary procedure to amend the constitution.

Police arrested three persons including Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal?s central Treasurer Khadak Chaudhary while they were staging a sit-in at Dasgaja area in Siraha District near Kailali Customs Office bordering India.

President Ram Baran Yadav called parties in the Legislature-Parliament to form a consensual Government within seven days as per Article 298(2) of the Nepal?s Constitution.

The meeting held between the three major parties and the Tharuhat Struggle committee ended inconclusively in Singha Durbar.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav accused the Government of not being serious towards holding talks with agitating UDMF. He blamed the Government of not treating the Madhesi people as the country?s citizens.

Youths aligned to Federal Limbuwan Party held a demonstration in Panchthar District headquarters Phidim accusing the Government of ditching their demand for a separate Limbuwan state.

PM Sushil Koirala called an all-party meeting for October 5 to discuss the next political course represented in the Legislature Parliament.

UDMF formed a four-member talk?s team to hold talks with the three major parties on constitutional issues. The front, however, decided to continue its agitation in Madhes, including peaceful demonstrations in border areas, highways and civil disobedience.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing an interaction on the new constitution organized by the party in Kathmandu said that various forces have been hatching conspiracy to break an alliance of major political forces that were actively involved in promulgating the new constitution.

Former UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai addressing a mass gathering at Dhakdhai of Rupendehi District said that a new political force with new vision has become necessary to safeguard the democratic achievements.

Cadres of UDMF set two trucks on fire in Birgunj town in Parsa District along the Dryport Bypass-Parwanipur road section.

The UDMF cadres also vandalized more than two dozen vehicles at Parwanipur VDC in Sarlahi District.

Various small parties expressing their views in the all-party meet convened at Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu suggested the major three political parties to keep their alliance intact while forming the new Government.

Former UCPN-M leader Baburam Bhattarai talking to journalists in Sunawal of Nawalparasi District announced that he would launch his much-hyped 'new force' within a month.

Three political parties and the UDMF started formal talks to settle current political deadlock but the meeting could not enter into political agendas yet again.

Cadres of UDMF cut off fingers of a man near Indo-Nepal border point in Belahiya of Rupandehi District for trying to purchase daily commodities.

UDMF submitted a 35-point charter of demands to the Government and major three parties urging the big parties to amend the Constitution accordingly.

Government registered "first amendment bill" of the constitution at Parliament Secretariat in Kathmandu seeking to address proportional inclusion and making population the basis for delineating the electoral constituencies - the two major demands of Madhesi and indigenous communities.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking with journalists at the Biratnagar Airport in Morang District stressed on the need of a National Unity Government as the nation is in a critical time now.

Chairman of FSF-N Upendra Yadav speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu said that the amendment proposals registered by the Government at the Parliament Secretariat are unacceptable for the agitating parties as the Government did not reach at any agreement with the agitating parties before forwarding it to the Secretariat.

Four persons were injured when cadres of UDMF attacked four local youths and torched their two motorcycles in Nawalparasi District as they were returning from bordering Indian market with diesel for their tractors.

UDMF cadres obstructed the movement of three sugar carrying trucks of Everest Sugar Mill based in Ramnagar town of Mahottari District heading to the capital city Kathmandu.

UCPN-M leaders met CPN-UML and NC leaders and emphasized the need for three-party unity for the formation of next Government so that they could effectively resolve the current challenges.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala resigned even as Parliament prepares to elect a new Premier on October 11 after parties failed to forge a consensus amid continued protests and blockade of a key border trade point with India over the country's new Constitution.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli was elected 38th Prime Minister of Nepal by defeating NC President Sushil Koirala with a margin of 89 votes. Of the 587 members took part in the voting, Oli garnered 338 votes while Koirala polled 249 votes.

Cadres of UDMF burnt effigy of the newly-elected Prime Minister KP Oli and MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar in the District headquarters Gaur of Rautahat District for making statements against Madhesi people's sentiments and Gachhadar playing supportive role in the election of Oli as Prime Minister.

Hill-origin communities residing in Mahottari District organized a solidarity rally at District headquarters, Jaleshwar, to express support for the demands of Madhes.

October 12

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli formed a small cabinet incorporating two DPMs ? RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa and MJF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar ? and five ministers ? Agni Prasad Kharel, Som Prasad Pandey and Satya Narayan Mandal from CPN-UML, Haribol Gajurel from UCPN-M and Ram Kumar Subba from RPP-N.

Following the decision of the MPRF-D Chairman Bijay Gachchhadar to join the new Government, Madhesi and Tharu protesters intensified protests in his village Duhabi of Sunsari District.

Separately, organizing a press meet, District Committee Members of MPRF-D in Bara and Parsa Districts on October 12 submitted their resignation to the party protesting Gachchhadar's move to join the Government in the capacity of DPM, reports Republica.

DPM Bijay Gachchhadar talking to media after taking oath of office and secrecy at the President Office in Katmandu said that delineation, structures and numbers of the provinces would be revised to address the ongoing Terai protest.

October 13

UDMF during a meeting held at the Alfa Beta Complex in Kathmandu decided to continue its protests in the Tarai region during the festive season also.

October 14

Manish Kumar Suman, general secretary of SP, a constituent of UDMF, said talks with the protesting Madhesi and Tharu forces should have been the first priority of the new Government, but it is busy in dividing the key constitutional posts among the ruling coalition partners. This shows that the government is not serious about holding talks with the protesting parties.

October 15

A meeting of the top leaders of the political parties supporting the formation of the incumbent Government formed an 11-member high-level political coordination committee under the leadership of UCPN-M Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli while addressing the House urged the agitating parties to join the talks table to get their issues addressed.

A cabinet meeting held in Kathmandu decided to send formal invitation to the agitating Madhes-based political parties for talks.

Members of the hilly community organized a rally in Malangawa town of Sarlahi District to express solidarity with the demands of Madhesi community.

October 16

The Government sent letters to the constituents of UDMF inviting them to come to the negotiating table.

Parliament unanimously elected UCPN-M leader Onsari Gharti Magar as its speaker. Magar is the first woman speaker in the country's history. She is also the first woman to reach a top-five post in Nepal.  

MPRF-D General Secretary Mrigendra Kumar Singh announced to resign from the party as the party participated in the incumbent Government without formal decision in the party.

HRW in a report said that Nepali authorities should immediately investigate and bring to justice those responsible for killings and rights violations during ongoing protests over the constitutional debate.

October 18

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs begun work to enact 138 new laws and amend 315 existing laws to implement the new constitution.

UDMF told the Government that it was ready for talks, however, did not agree to end the protests as asked by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav organizing a press conference in Kathmandu said that his party will not sit for talks with the Government and will instead intensify its protests after the Dashain festival.

MPRF-D District General Secretary Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav and over two hundreds local leaders and cadres have given resignation from the party by giving up the ordinary membership of the party as well.

Government on October 19 constituted a five-member talk's team headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa to hold dialogue with the agitating UDMF.

Tharu MPs representing UCPN-M threatened to quit Parliament membership if the party does not address the concerns of the Tharu community. There are eight Tharu MPs from the party.

Government talk's team headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa held the first talk with the agitating UDMF.

NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula said that if there were any defects in the new constitution it could be corrected through political consensus.

The Government and the UDMF held second round of talks. The talks, however, ended each side calling the other to be more accommodative.

Most District Committee members of the MJF-D in Rautahat District announced that they quit the party protesting its central Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar's decision to join the incumbent Government.

11 persons were injured when cadres of agitating UDMF clashed with Police at Dhalkebar in Dhanusha District.

An unidentified gang attacked UCPN-M Dhading District Committee member Kariman Tamang with a khukuri. Tamang was critically injured in the attack.

UDMF cadres destroyed different goods being imported from India at Matihani border-point of Mahottari District.

Cadres of UDMF torched two motorcycles in Lahan of Siraha District. The cadres set the motorcycles bearing registration number Ba 41 PA 4600 and Ba 36 PA 8582 on fire at Kusbaha Chowk and near the Saptarishi Hospital.

Cadres of UDMF torched a pick-up van in Bhediyahi of Rautahat District. The van was delivering goods of daily use from Gaur to Chandranigahapur as the agitation programmes were minimised for the Dashain festival.

UDMF cadres set an ambulance on fire in Bhardah of Saptari District along the East-West Highway. The ambulance was carrying a patient to Kathmandu. The protesting cadres torched the ambulance after taking out the fuel.

UDMF cadres set ablaze a motorcycle in Pipara Road of Birgunj in Parsa District. The cadres claimed that the bike was used to import petrol from India despite blockade of the alliance.

Police arrested Satya Narayan Yadav, advisor of the agitation struggle committee and Roshan Yadav, District member of the agitating TMLP from Siraha district on charge of forcing the market to shut down.

Talk's teams of the Government and agitating UDMF held third dialogue but failed to reach any solution on constitutional issues. There was no progress in talks except for the formation of a two-member task force to implement the remaining conditions put forth by the UDMF.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an all-party meet to choose a candidate for the post of President through consensus.

Cadres of UDMF vandalized dozens of vehicles at different places on the East-West Highway in Saptari District. Police said that the agitating cadres hiding on the side of the highway threw rocks at dozens of vehicles at Bhardaha, Rupani, Kanchanpur Baira, Barmajhiya, among other places in the District in course of police escorting.

Two girls sustained burn injuries after cadres of the UDMF seized petrol bottles they were carrying, smashed them on the ground and lit them. The victims have been identified as Ranjana (3) and Sunita (16) in Sunsari District.

A gas cylinder bomb was found at the house of NC lawmaker Surendra Yadav in Rajbiraj Municiplaity of Saptari District. ATMM coordinator Jay Krishna Goit in a press statement claimed responsibility of the incident.

NC leader and lawmaker Sunil Yadav accused the Government of not being sensitive towards the prolonged Madhes agitation and warned of intensifying the agitation in Tarai-Madhes if the Government did not take immediate steps to address the concerns of the Madhesi people.

Two persons were injured as protesting cadres of UDMF set ablaze two motorbikes in Rautahat District. Riders of the both bikes - Suresh Sah (28) and Ram Prabesh Sah (27) - sustained injuries in the incident.

Ram Bilas Yadav (22) sustained severe burn injuries to his legs and back in Sunsari District. Police said "Yadav was returning home after purchasing petrol when the group came in 10 motorcycles and seized the bottle of petrol. The group sprinkled the petrol around Yadav after taking him under control. They then set fire."

Cadres of UDMF erected makeshift tents, and staged sit-ins and demonstrations at Sukdev Chowk, Shivnagar, Jaynagar, Garuda, Birta, Sakhuwa, Dumriya chowk obstructing vehicular movement along the Gaur-Chandranigahapur road section in Rautahat District.

FMF, led by Nepal Sadvawana Party and comprising five parties presented a 102 point constitutional amendment proposal to Government talks team during the talks held at Kathmandu.

Pari Thapa-led CPN-Unified and Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist at a Party Unity Coordination Committee meeting held decided to merge as both the parties have common ideology and political issues.

Staging a torch rally in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari, cadres of the agitating UDMF urged their leaders to hold meaningful talks with the Government.

Vice-chairman of CPN-UML Bidhya Devi Bhandari was elected as the new President of the country. Bhandari received 327 votes in the Presidential election against her rival candidate of the NC Kul Bahadur Gurung's 214 votes.

A motorbike was set ablaze at Lahan town in Siraha District. Rudra Dahal, the rider of the motorbike, said "As I reached Kushwaha Chowk, Lahan at 9:00 am, I was stopped by some protestors. Despite my request, the protestors set my bike on fire."

Talks between the agitating UDMF and the Government remained inconclusive as the former demanded immediate resolution of the provincial boundary issue. Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa said "Their demand was immediate resolution of the boundary dispute, which is a difficult proposition as it took eight years to finalize the present boundary."

TMDP Chairman Mahanta Thakur while addressing a press meet organized in Birgunj town in Parsa District, blamed the Government of not being serious about the genuine demands of Madhesis.

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav speaking at a press meet at Rajbiraj town in Saptari District said that there was no point in the UDMF holding talks with the Government until the latter agreed to redraw provincial boundaries.

Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa, who heads the Government's talk's team in a letter written to the UDMF and UMF, said that the Government is committed to meeting the conditions set by the agitating forces for dialogue.

TMDP Chairman Mahanth Thakur speaking to media persons at a function organized by the front in Gaur town of Rautahat District said that there was no point in holding dialogue with the Government until the latter came up with concrete agendas to address their demands.

TMSP Chairman Mahendra Ray Yadav speaking at a press conference organized by TMSP in Birgunj town of Parsa District said that there was no point in further sitting for talks with the Government if the talk slated to take place on November 1 also fails.

Government negotiators' assured the UDMF that the Government was ready to amend provincial boundaries by forging political understanding with political parties, including NC.

Issuing a press statement after concluding its two-day meeting in Janakpur city of Dhanusha District, UDMF decided to intensify its agitation.

Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, putting forth 11 demands and demanded that the issues of ongoing Madhes agitations, obstructions at Indo-Nepal border points and dissatisfaction surfaced in the course of constitution-making process should be resolved soon.

One person was killed and 40 others including 32 UDMF cadres and eight Policemen were injured in Police firing during a clash between Police and UDMF cadres in Birgunj town of Parsa District. Five demonstrators were arrested.

Considering the security sensitivities, the District Administration Office, Parsa District, imposed indefinite curfew in Birgunj town from 3 pm.

Strongly protesting the use of force against the protesters by Police in Birgunj, TMDP Vice-Chairman Hridayash Tripathi said "When the government itself ruins the environment for talks by using live bullets on protestors and imposing a curfew again, there is a serious question over the relevance of sitting for talks."

Three persons were injured as Madheshi protestors clashed with security personnel on the premises of Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital in Birgunj town of Parsa District.

Birgunj Police fired three rounds of shots in the air after UDMF cadres began to demonstrate in front of the Brahma Police Post defying the curfew clamped by the local administration.

UDMF staged a protest rally in Janakpur city of Dhanusha District. The rally that started from Ramanand Chowk made round of Janaki Chowk, Janak Chowk, Shiv Chowk, bhanu Chowk, and Kadam Chowk. The agitators in Janakpur had also obstructed movement of motorcycles and electric rickshaws.

45 leaders of UCPN-M quit the party en mess to join a campaign for forming a new political force led by former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. Though the leaders have not used the word resignation, Devendra Paudel, one of those who quit, said right after submitting their letter to the party that they are no longer associated with the UCPN-M.

12 people were injured in Birgunj town of Parsa District as cadres of UDMF clashed with Police at Maisthan, Nagawa, Ghariwarwa, Ghantaghar, and Chhapkaiya.

Intensifying its agitation, the agitating UDMF imposed restrictions on the movement of two-wheelers and electric auto rickshaws in Dhanusha District. Bajarang Yadav, Dhanusha chairman of FSF-N reasoned "Movement of two-wheelers and electric vehicles had lessened the impact of the shutdown. Hence, the front decided to impose restrictions on their movement."

Amnesty International has written an 11 page open letter to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli seeking his urgent attention to a number of concerns regarding the new Constitution.

Coalition partners CPN-UML and UCPN-M held consultations with main opposition NC at Prime Minister KP Oli's residence in Katmandu. The leaders discussed the issues of agitating Madheshi communities.

UCPN-M during a Standing Committee meeting of the party held at the party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Lazimpat, Kathmandu expelled five of its CC members for supporting Baburam Bhattarai's campaign to form a new political force.

Expressing her serious concern over the problems people are currently facing, President Bidya Devi Bhandari during a meeting with a delegation of FNJ at her office in Kathmandu said that the current crisis should end at earliest.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also coordinator of the HPCC held informal talks with the leaders of agitating UDMF.

Vice Chairman of TMDP Hridayesh Tripathi said that it was an irony that Madhesi people, who supported all democratic movements of Nepal, were being isolated while fighting for their cause.

Eight Madhes-based agitating parties participated the Parliament meeting and obstructed House proceedings. Around 20 lawmakers of agitating parties went to the well and demanded formation of a Judicial Commission to probe the killing of people by the Government during the movement and fulfillment of the demands of agitators.

Parliamentary Party meeting of the NC held at the Parliament building urged the Government to table the constitution amendment proposal in the Parliament so as to resolve the Tarai problem as soon as possible.

Two fringe parties - Pari Thapa-led CPN-Unified and Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist - declared their merger after a jointly organized unification convention that took place at the Maoist Valley Bureau Office in Lalitpur District.

November 9

Lawmakers of the agitating Madhes-based parties obstructed Parliament proceedings for the second consecutive day demanding the Government to address their concerns. Following the obstruction, Speaker Onsari Gharti adjourned the House for 13 days till November 22.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, accepting an eight-point joint memorandum from Nepal Revolutionary Youth Association and Nepal Revolutionary Students Association, stated that the diplomatic measures were being taken to resolve the problem seen at the border points.

November 11

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, said that the ongoing unrest in the Madhes region would not be solved unless the parties agreed to review boundaries of federal units.

Vice-President of NC, Ram Chandra Paudel, said that his party would play a role of mediator among the Government, Madhes-centric political parties and the neighboring country.

November 12

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli while addressing a program at Basantapur VDC in Sunsari District said that the Government is ready to address the genuine demands of all.

Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML senior leader Jhalanath Khanal while speaking at a program organized by the Reporter's Club Nepal in Kathmandu underscored the need of unity between NC and CPN-UML to iron out existing problems of the country.

UCPN-M expelled four leaders for acting against the party in Chitwan District. The leaders include Ramesh Regmi, Bishnu Hari Timilsena, Umakant Chapagain and Kamal Prasad Chapagain. The leaders joined the new political force established by former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.

November 13

Cadres of the agitating UDMF torched a truck laden with goods at Bihan Road in Birgunj town of Parsa District. Police said that the truck was completely destroyed in the arson.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli speaking at a programme organized by the Reporters? Club in Kathmandu said that the present crisis facing the country would come to an end soon.

UCPN-M Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking at the same programme pledged to address the genuine demands of Madhesi community to the extent possible.

November 14

Cadres of agitating UMDF torched the Birgunj-based Parsa District party office of CPN-UML. The UDMF cadres threw away furniture at the office to nearby river and then set it on fire. Later, they protested by burning tires.

UDMF leaders rejected the NC?s offer of moving the constitution amendment bill ahead and trying to forge consensus on issues of provincial boundaries gradually.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and coordinator of the Government talk?s team Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa held a meeting with Chairman of TMDP, Mahantha Thakur and discussed how the Madhes problems could be resolved and people?s life be made easier.

November 15

Two CPN-UML cadres were injured as cadres of UDMF attacked CPN-UML leader Rishikesh Pokhrel?s vehicle while returning from a function held to exchange greetings at Jhurkiya VDC of Morang District.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, in his first address to the nation after being elected the Prime Minister, said that India?s unofficial blockade had led to a humanitarian crisis in the country.

NC and Madhesi parties have expressed their dissatisfaction over Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli?s address to the nation as the Prime Minister did not mention the root cause of blockade and did not even say anything about what diplomatic initiative he would take vis-à-vis India to resolve the crisis created by blockade.

SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato warned that if the ongoing agitation in plains failed, the country would plunge into further crisis.

Top leaders of the major three parties intensified informal political dialogues and consultations in a bid to resolve present crisis and address the Madhes agitation.

Former Prime Minister and senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal accused Madhes-centric parties of staging a protracted agitation in the region to fulfil their vested interests.

Cadres of the UDMF seized 1,000 liters of petrol at two different places in Gaushala of Mahottari District and destroyed it, saying the fuel was smuggled from the Indian border.

Police arrested an agitator nearby the Sajha Petrol Pump located in Lalitpur District for hurling stones at Police while security personnel were engaged in convincing the youth not to create any obstruction in the vehicular movement.

Pashupati Muraraka, President of FNCCI speaking at an interaction organized by Nepal Republic Media said that the economic blockade imposed by India and unrest in Tarai-Madhesh is pushing industrialists toward bankruptcy.

TMDP Chairman Mahendra Raya Yadav warned of a decisive agitation if the talks scheduled for November 18 does not make any headway.

Talks between the ruling parties and the agitating UDMF failed to make any progress over differences. The meeting lasted for around two hours and ended without making any decision.

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe speaking at an interaction in Kathamandu said that the Government should mobilize army in the region to control the protests as few feudal lords led the protests after being defeated from people.

UDMF cadres destroyed around 510 liters petrol at two points in Mahottari District. 310 liters of smuggled petrol at Mahottari's main checkpoint Bhittamod and 200 liters petrol at Matihani border point.

UDMF at a meeting held at the FSF-N parliamentary party office in Kathamandu decided to continue their protest programmes including the blockade at Indo-Nepal border points.

Leaders of the Tharuhat Struggle Committee, speaking at press meets organized at three locations announced intense and fresh rounds of protest across the Tarai Districts in support of their demand for carving three federal provinces out of the region.

Chairman of MPRF-R and leader FDF Raj Kishor Yadav talking to journalists at Jaleshwor in Mahottari Dsitrict said that the ongoing agitation in Tarai region is not to split the nation.

One person injured as UDMF cadres vandalized an ambulance carrying a sick child at Katahari of Morang District. The child?s mother, who was inside the ambulance, sustained minor injuries.

Cadres of UDMF vandalized the house of CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal in Gaur of Rautahat District. The entrance and the window panes of the house situated on the main road of the Gaur Municipality-3 have been badly damaged.

Cadres of UDMF torched a truck carrying drugs in Birgunj town of Parsa District. They torched the truck, Na 2 Kha 8392, in front of the office of National Trading Limited.

NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi speaking at an interaction at the Reporters? Club in Kathmandu accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of imposing a blockade by halting discussions on the Constitution Amendment Bill registered at the Parliament.

Three UDMF cadres Birendra Ram (18) and Nageshwor Yadav (28) and Shiva Shankar Das were killed in Police firing along Bharadaha-Rupani road in Saptari District. Six UDMF cadres and 20 Police personnel were also injured in clashes.

Critically injured local Dilip Sah (30) succumbed to bullet injuries. Sah was observing the demonstration from the roof of his house and was hit by a bullet in his head when Police opened fire on November 21 along Bharadaha-Rupani road in Saptari District.

Irate cadres of UDMF damaged a bridge over Sundari River at Barmajhiya of Saptari District the along the East-West Highway. Police said that agitators riled by the death of protesters in Police action vandalized the bridge using homemade weapons.

Cadres of UDMF destroyed 500 liters of petrol in Siraha District. The UDMF cadres destroyed the petrol at Chatari Baniniya in the District citing it was smuggled from India.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitra Bahadur KC asserted that the Districts of the Tarai could not be separated from the hilly region in the name of changing the demarcation of federal provinces.

CPN-UML Secretary Bhim Acharya said that his party would not agree on dividing the entire Madhes region into two provinces at any cost. He further said that the party would neither agree on entirely separating hilly provinces from Tarai districts.

NC at an inter-party meeting said that it can support the Government in resolving the ongoing political crisis if the latter forwards the constitution amendment bill as proposed by the previous Government without any further delay.

Cadres of UDMF set ablaze a Police post in protest of the killing of three demonstrators in the Police action in Saptari District. The unruly protestors put the Police post in Koladi Basain-1 of the District on fire.

Padam, a three-month-old boy of Triyuga municipality died on way to hospital for want of timely treatment, as the ambulance carrying the baby was halted by the cadres of the UDMF in Udaypur District.

Tension remained high in Saptari District after UDMF cadres set ablaze Rajbiraj-based District Land Conservation Office and Kunauli-based Customs Office. They also torched the party office of Nepali Congress (NC) and Land Survey branch office in the District headquarters Rajbiraj.

Cadres of UDMF set fire on three motorcycles in Dhalkebar and Debadih of Dhanusa District for carrying petrol and diesel.

A meeting between major opposition NC and ruling CPN-UML and UCPN-M held at Prime Minister's official residence in Kathmandu agreed to forward the constitution amendment bill in understanding with agitating Madhes-based political parties.

Leaders of UDMF at an interaction organized by NHRC said that finding a solution to the Madhes agitation was delayed because the Government was not taking their concerns seriously and calling the agitators for talks without any agenda whatsoever.

Senior leader of the NC and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, at a news conference organized by the Nepal Press Union, Banke District expressed that the dispute surfaced over delineation of provinces should be settled through referendum.

Chairman of the HPCC of the ruling coalition and Chairman of UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal held talks with four agitating Madhesi leaders and agreed to resolve the problem in a package.

Minister for Information and Communications Technology Sherdhan Rai said that the army would not mobilised to control Tarai protests unless critical situation was seen in the county.

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav speaking at the Reporters Club Nepal said "There is a peaceful protest taking place under the banner of Madhesi Morcha but there have been some untoward incidents owing to infiltrations from the side of the government."

A cloth laden-truck that was being escorted by the SF personnel toward the destination has been burnt by UDMF cadres in Dhalkebari of Dhanusa District.

Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Revolutionary Maoist submitting a six-point memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli urged to address genuine demands of agitating Madhes-based parties through talks and raise the issue of border blockade at international forums.

The agitating cadres of UDMF continued their protest into the 103rd day in Gaur of Rautahat Dsitrict. District Coordinator and District Chairman of FSF-N Ram Niwas Yadav led a mass that demonstrated after chanting the slogans against the Government at the District headquarter for the entire day.

CBREP staged a huge demonstration at Chandrapur of Rautahat District demanding a 'Chure Bhawar province'.

Madhesi and Janajati forces, and Baburam Bhattarai led Campaign for Building New Force held a meeting to discuss their joint agitation in Kathmandu.

Chairman of FSF-N Upendra Yadav said "It's my challenge to them, either quit government or wage war at the border." Why haven't they reacted? Either announce war or leave the government, it irrelevant to be in power by making irresponsible comments."

Two persons were killed and 12 others seriously injured when a passenger bus escorted by SF personnel turned turtle after protesters of UDMF pelted stone at it at Bhardaha-1 of Saptari District along the East-West Highway.

A clash erupted after local people and Student Unions vandalized and torched the stage constructed by UDMF at Kheti Stream of Itahari in Sunsari District.

Agitating cadres of UDMF set a motorbike on fire near Dashgaja area in Rautahat District while it was on way to Rautahat after filling petrol from Bairganiya of India.

A clash erupted after local people and student unions vandalized and set ablaze the stage constructed by UDMF at Khetikhola of Itahari in Sunsari District.

Federal Alliance, Baburam Bhattarai-led Campaign for Creating New Force and Padma Ratna Tuladhar-led INNM, decided to hold a broader civic solidarity meeting in Kathmandu on December 3.

More than 50 vehicles under Police escorting were vandalized by the UDMF cadres in Bhardaha in Saptari District along the East-West Highway.

Cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoists set two trucks ablaze in Chandrapur of Rautahat District during general strike called by the party.

Speaking to mediapersons after attending an eastern regional security meeting in Sunsari District, Home Minister Shakti Basnet said that the ongoing Tarai agitation was against the country's interests.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Bhim Bahadur Rawal speaking with journalists at the Reporters' Club in Kathmandu warned that the Government would mobilize Army to contain the ongoing protests in Tarai, if need be.

Cadres of UDMF destroyed 415 liters of petrol at Bhitthamod, the major checkpoint at the Nepal-India border in Mahottari District. The cadres seized the petrol smuggled from India using a clandestine route through the jungle.

The tripartite talks among ruling parties, the main opposition NC and the agitating UDMF ended inconclusively again. The parties agreed to meet at 6 pm on December 2 again.

UDMF leaders and cadres in Biratnagar town of Morang District decided to bring activities at Nepal-India border point at Jogbani to a complete halt as part of their intensified protest program.

Agitating UDMF lawmakers obstructed the meeting of Parliament. As soon as Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar began House proceedings, UDMF lawmakers went to the well of the House and started chanting slogans against the Government.

Cadres of UDMF disrupted Jamunaha entry point in Nepalgunj town of Banke District on Nepal-India border. With the obstruction, hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying petroleum products, have been stranded on the Indian side of the border.

NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi speaking at a press meet at Hetauda city in Makwanpur District stressed the need to amend the constitution to resolve the prolonged Tarai unrest.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal presenting his political paper at the party?s central committee meeting in Kathmandu proposed creating an eighth province by adding one more to the seven-province model adopted in the new constitution.

LNRP issuing a press statement warned the leaders not to disintegrate Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari Districts from Province No. 1. The party also decided to retaliate the Indian blockade if it is not lifted at soonest.

Three Policemen were injured as agitating UDMF cadres? hurled petrol bombs at Policemen in Jamunaha border in Nepalgunj town of Banke District.

The tripartite talks among the ruling coalition partners, the main opposition party and the agitating UDMF scheduled were postponed indefinitely with the Government and the agitating parties blaming each other for the postponement.

NC youth leader and central member Gagan Thapa addressing a pressure-creating rally organized by NC in Kathmandu said that the need to give way out to the protracted Madhes unrest.

Eight UDMF cadres were injured in Police firing as clashes erupted between Police and UDMF cadres in a mass assembly organized by the later at the Nawalpur section of the East-West Highway in Sarlahi District.

Two persons were injured as cadres of UDMF manhandled staffs of NHRC and torched a vehicle they were riding in Sarlahi District. The vehicle was also completely destroyed in the fire.

More than two dozen HURPES activists including veteran Krishna Pahadi were arrested in front of the Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy for staging a sit-in in front of the Embassy protesting India?s unofficial blockade on Nepal after promulgation of the new Constitution on September 20.

Major three political parties at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Kathmandu, decided to forward the constitution amendment bill only after securing the consent of agitating UDMF.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is leading a campaign to create a new force, urged the major parties to address the concerns of agitating Madhesi and Tharu parties.

Three major parties drafted a three-point proposal to be tabled during the major parties? talks with the agitating Madhesi parties. They decided to begin the process of amending the new constitution through the Constitution Amendment Bill registered by the erstwhile NC-led Government regarding proportional inclusion and delineation of election constituencies on the basis of population.

The scheduled tripartite talks among the ruling coalition, the main opposition NC and the agitating UDMF could not take place as the UDMF leaders did not attend the meeting citing their busy schedule.

NHRC during an emergency meeting of the commissioners called back all the monitoring teams it has deployed to monitor the human rights situation during the ongoing agitations in Madhes Districts.

Unveiling the report prepared by three-member team of the HURON revealed that more than 48 persons, including security personnel, were killed and more than 1000 people were injured till November 25 in the agitation in various Districts in the southern plains.

Police arrested a village Secretary of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist, identified as Sankha Narayan Shrestha for arson attack on a truck at Kalu Pandey road in Dhading District during a general strike on November 29.

UDMF in a meeting with the three major parties NC, CPN-UML and UCPN-M, rejected the three-point proposal put forth by the three parties saying it was vague, did not address the UDMF?s 11-point demand and also the Government had not made any progress in creating conducive environment for talks by implementing its promises.

Agitating MPs representing the UDMF foiled the Governments plan to table the Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament. The MPs went to the well of the House and chanted slogans demanding that all their concerns be addressed. The Speaker postponed the House meeting until 11:00am of December 7.

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist organized a mass demonstration against the border blockade in Damauli city of Tanahun District. The participants shouted slogans demanding an end to the border blockade.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry urged all political parties, civil society members, intellectuals and the general public to support the Government's special awareness campaign on the new constitution, schedule to launch on December 7, successful.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a national-level awareness campaign on the new constitution with the aim to familiarize the general public with the new constitution and dispel misconceptions especially among the marginalized communities that the new statute discriminates against them.

CPN-UML lawmakers and leaders representing the Tarai at a CPN-UML national gathering in Sauraha village in Chitwan District pointed out that misconception among people about contents of the constitution had encouraged the agitation in Madhes.

29 UCPN-M cadres joined Baburam Bhattarai-led 'new political power' in Parbat District. Issuing a statement, the cadres said that they decided to desert UCPN-M accusing its Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal forming the party's District committee unilaterally.

NMSA severed ties with the agitating UDMF claiming that the struggle had caused humanitarian crisis in the country. Coordinator of NMSA Samim Miya Ansari said that the UDMF had committed in writing that it would raise the issues of Muslims but it deceived them.

Leaders of UDMF during a meeting with India?s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in New Delhi told that the Nepali Government was not serious about holding talks with the UDMF and the three-point proposal mooted by the major parties did not meet their demands.

Former Speaker and Senior Advocate Daman Nath Dhungana during a discussion with local journalists in Birgunj town in Parsa District blamed the Government for allowing the current deadlock to stretch by wrongly interpreting the situation and problems of Madhes.

UDMF leader and Chairman of Sadhbhawana Party Rajendra Mahata at interaction program in New Delhi warned of dire consequences if the Madhes protests are not success.

Police arrested 12 cadres of Madhesi Force in course of staging torch rally at Gaur town in Rautahat District. All the cadres had deserted UCPN-M party along with Baburam Bhattarai.

NC lawmakers obstructed the Parliament meeting for not including the Constitution Amendment Bill registered by the erstwhile Sushil Koirala-led Government.

UDMF rejected the three major parties? proposal to allow the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill and settle the question of provincial boundaries within three months through a political mechanism.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli speaking at a function organized by the NHRC said that the Government is committed to respecting human rights and that non-state actors also should show equal respect for such rights.

Minister of Home Affairs Shakti Basnet said that the Government would take necessary steps at the earliest to resolve the Madhes issues even though the Madhesi leaders were staying away from dialogue and the country was pushed to witness a crisis.

NC obstructed the Parliament to table the Reconstruction Authority Bill demanding simultaneous inclusion of the Constitution Amendment Bill in House business.

UDMF cadres demonstrated forming a human chain along the 42-kilometre road-section from Gaur to Chandranigahapur. The demonstrators demanded that the Government to immediately address the issues of Madhes and end the ongoing agitation.

NBA, after the meeting of the 43rd NBA Executive Council held in Lalitpur District urged the Parliament and political parties to make no delays on the Constitution Amendment on the basis of proportionate inclusion ensured by the interim constitution.

FIMA submitted a memorandum including nine-point demands to the Government. One of the demands is related to the number of provinces in the Tarai. Other demands are that two states should be formed in the Tarai and provisions with regard to citizenship, inclusive and proportional representation should retain as per previous interim constitution.

NC again obstructed the meeting of the Parliament protesting to removal of the Constitution Amendment Bill registered by previous NC-led Government from the business schedule of the House.

The tripartite talks between the ruling parties, principal opposition NC and the agitating UDMF, attended by top leaders from each side, ended mainly because the NC wanted to table both the bills Constitution Amendment Bill and Reconstruction Authority Bill together in the Parliament which the UDMF rejected.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Bhim Rawal said that the country was facing a humanitarian crisis due to the opposing stances taken by the main opposition NC and agitating UDMF.

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav said that the UDMF would withdraw its agitation immediately if the Government implemented an 11-point agreement reached with Madhesi parties.

11 cadres of UDMF arrested in Birgunj town of Parsa District. The arrestees are SP members Shiba Patel, Krishn Patel, Nejmudin Samani and TMDP members Rmtulah Khan, Jtashankar Gupta, Dhani Patel, Ramspa Sakur Aalam, Bijay Patel, Anand Chaturbedi, Moti Sah and Binye Sarraf.

A team headed by MJF-L Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at Baluwatar, Kathmandu and urged him to implement the eight-point agreement.

Bill on First Amendment of Constitution of Nepal and Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures were tabled at the Legislature Parliament despite objection from the agitating UDMF.

60 cadres of UDMF and 12 Policemen were injured as the UDMF cadres staged demonstration over President Bidhya Devi Bhandari?s visit to the Janaki temple in Janakpur city of Dhanusa District.

An unidentified assailant hurled petrol bomb at Dish Home Control Unit office in Bhaisepati in Lalitpur District. Police suspects that the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist might have carried out the attack on the television network for airing Indian news Channel.

TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur and SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato joined a sit-in at the Indo-Nepal border point near Birgunj of Parsa District as the Government tabled the Bill on First Amendment of Constitution of Nepal and the Bill on Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures without its consent.

UDMF leader and SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato said "The Government has not been able to address our demands though we have lifted blockade in all check points except Birgunj. UDMF is preparing for stern protests by imposing blockade in all border points from Friday (December 18)."

Manish Suman, general secretary of SP said ?All talks will remain irrelevant unless the major parties come up with a common stance vis-a-vis their 11-point demands.?

UDMF has stepped up agitation in the Districts of Bara and Parsa to press the Government and three major parties to meet their demands. They also forced closure of markets.

Major political parties decided to wait for the agitating Madhes-based political parties to join the deliberations on constitution amendment proposal till December 23.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli speaking at a gathering organized by the CPN-UML in Kailali District said that the ongoing agitation of the Madhes-based parties was ?meaningless? as the demands of the Madhesi community had already been addressed by the new constitution.

In an informal meeting with top NC in Katmandu, Chairpersons of FSF-N Upendra Yadav and TMDP Mahantha Thakur rejected the main opposition?s proposal of dealing with the Constitution Amendment Bill first and all other issues later.

An 18-year-old school boy was killed in Police firing as UDMF cadres clashed with Policemen in Gaur town of Rautahat District. The deceased has been identified as Sekh Tabarej, a tenth grader at the local Juddha Higher Secondary School.  24 agitators and 17 Policemen were injured in the clash.

Cadres of UDMF vandalized the Land Revenue Office in Lahan, the District headquarters of Siraha. The agitating cadres accused the office staff of working for commission and defying the UDMF-announced bandh.

Government at an emergency cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu decided to form the political mechanism to address the demands put forward by the agitating Madhes-based parties regarding provincial demarcations.

FIMA, an alliance of Sharat Singh Bhandari-led NMSP, Rajkishor Yadav-led MJF-R, Anil Kumar Jha-led NSP and Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta-led TMNC warned of intensify its agitation.

In Rautahat District, students, backed by the UDMF cadres continued to protest the death of a school student in Police firing during Gaur protests, defying the curfew order. Three area Police offices of Gangapipra, Katahariya and Bankul in the District were attacked and vandalized.

In Parsa District, UDMF leaders and cadres organized a rally brandishing sticks to protest the killing of the school student during Gaur demonstration in Birgunj town.

In Sarlahi District, UDMF cadres torched two Government offices - DDWDO and DWCO - at Malangwa, the headquarters of the District.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli while inaugurating the CPN-UML?s Second Sunsari District Council Meeting warned that no one airing secessionist remarks would be spared.

UDMF said that the three-point proposal presented to it by the Government on December 21 for resolving the ongoing political crisis, is unclear, vague and incomplete.

Chairman of UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that consensus could be forged on an eight-province model by forming a separate province having disputed Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari and some other Districts.

UDMF cadres set a truck ablaze in Garuda in Rautahat District. The good-laden truck that was en route to Jitpur of Bara was set on fire at West Mahamadpur, 200 metres away from Methur Chok.

UDMF cadres set ablaze Indian register jeep in Bankul of Rautahat District.

Preliminary discussion on the First Amendment of Constitution scheduled for today was deferred by four days till December 27 after main NC and agitating UDMF sought time for negotiations, stating that talks are heading in a positive direction.

UCPN-M restructured the party by reorganizing the party committees based on seven provinces of the new constitution. The party has formed its seven provincial committees and nominated heads of the committees dissolving its 14 state committees that were in practice ever since the insurgency era.

NC President Sushil Koirala said that it would take maximum initiatives to take the talks with the agitating UDMF to the conclusion to end the existing political deadlock.

Tharuwat Struggle Committee in a press release threatened to intensify its stir if the Government did not address its demands by amending the constitution.

Agitating UDMF cadres obstructed the gathering of Yuwa Sangh, the youth wing of CPN-UML, organized at different locations of Saptari District.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal met UDMF leader Mahantha Thakur and told him to withdraw the ongoing agitation and seek negotiated settlement of issues but Thakur rejected his proposal.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is leading a campaign to form a new force in the country, urged the leaders of UDMF not allow the passage of the constitution amendment bill unless its language was changed to accommodate their concerns.

Chairman of the TRC, Surya Kiran Gurung, speaking at an interaction program organized by the TRC in Jajarkot District to collect suggestions from the war victims, journalists and civil society said that denying justice to the victims of the armed conflict would be a misfortunate chapter for the country.

SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato, one of the key leaders of the agitating UDMF, was injured in a clash with Police at Rani Customs point in Morang District. Mahato sustained injuries on his head and limbs.

25 UDMF cadres and five Policemen were injured in clash with Police as the former staged a rally protesting the attack on SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato in Janakpur city of Dhanusa District.

UDMF cadres set ablaze a vehicle (Ba 13 Cha 495) belonging to Kantipur Publications at Parwanipur Chowk of Bara District. The vehicle was completely damaged in the arson before Police doused the fire.

The preliminary discussion on the Bill on First Amendment of Constitution could not begin due to lack of quorum in the House meeting as only 124 lawmakers were present. It requires the presence of at least 149 members to meet the quorum.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Chitra Bahadur KC said that some political parties were disseminating wrong information to the people about the new constitution by misinterpreting it and asked the commoners not to rely on such false messages.

UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the agitating UDMF will agree to resolve the demarcation issue through political mechanism within three months if the current amendment bill is revised and a concrete proposal for provincial delineations is put forward.

NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula ruled out the possibility of changing the proposed provincial boundary as demanded by agitating UDMF leaders.

Madhesi cadres set fire to two bricks-loaded trucks at Garuda Bazaar in Rautahat District. The arson attack has completely destroyed the engine of both the trucks.

Parliament began discussion on the Bill on First Amendment of Constitution of Nepal, while lawmakers from agitating UDMF continued with their sloganeering in the well of the House.

The meeting of three major parties CPN-UML, UCPN-M and NC decided to come up with another common stance after the agitating Madhesi parties rejected their three-point proposal.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli accepting a memorandum from Reporters Club Chairman Rishi Dhamala said that the stakeholders were close to finding a resolution to Madhes problems.

69 persons including 45 SF personnel and 24 protesters were injured as cadres of agitating UDMF clashed with the SF personnel at Janaki Chok near the Janaki Temple here in Janakpurdham city of Dhanusa District.

The lawmakers continued deliberation on the 1st Amendment Bill of Nepal's Constitution at the Parliament and urged both the agitating parties and top leaders from the ruling and opposition parties for their support to endorse the constitution amendment bill through consensus.

Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar talking to media persons at Biratnagar Airport said that resolution of the ongoing Tarai issues could be found from proper constitution amendment.

Chairman of TMDP Mahantha Thakur said that the UDMF might consider changes in their agitation, including obstruction on Nepal-India border, to press the Government to address their demands.

Cadres of the Madhesi parties hurled stones at the residence of former Prime Minister and CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, in Gaur town of Rautahat District.

UDMF organized a lathi rally in Birgunj in Parsa District. Around 3,000 cadres participated in the rally. The Front shut all shops, offices and obstructed roads in the market area in preparation of the demonstration.

NC negotiator Mahesh Acharya said the CPN-UML should play a proactive role to end the Tarai unrest, but Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was not doing the same. "Talks are not happening due to UML's indifference," he said.

A UCPN-M source said the CPN-UML was proving to be the stumbling block to a negotiated settlement to end the Tarai unrest. "I don't think that this government will resolve the Tarai unrest," the source added.

Parliament extended deliberations on the Constitution Amendment Bill till January 3 in the hope of reaching an agreement with the agitating Madhesi parties.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressing a meeting organized by the CPN-UML Mechi Zonal Committee in Jhapa District said that allocating the electoral constituencies on the basis of population is inappropriate.

Minister for Home Affairs Shakti Bahadur Basnet said that the problem of Tarai unrest will be resolved with the Constitution Amendment proceedings in Parliament and that will pave the way for import management at the border points.

UCPN-M Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal met the TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur and urged him to settle all issues in three months, including the issues of proportional inclusion, electoral constituencies and provincial boundaries, but the latter rejected it.

Vice-President of the NC, Ram Chandra Poudel at a program organized on the occasion of the 40th national reconciliation day in Rupandehi District said that the constitution promulgated from the CA has incorporated all the rights of the Madhesi community.