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Nepal ethnic group talks collapse | Nepal ethnic group talks collapse |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A leader of an ethnically based political movement in Nepal says talks with the government have collapsed. | A leader of an ethnically based political movement in Nepal says talks with the government have collapsed. |
Rajendra Mahato said his newly formed Madhesi front will carry on its general strike in the south of Nepal, which has strangled fuel supplies nationwide. | Rajendra Mahato said his newly formed Madhesi front will carry on its general strike in the south of Nepal, which has strangled fuel supplies nationwide. |
Madhesis, roughly a third of Nepal's population, are now demanding rights after years of neglect. | Madhesis, roughly a third of Nepal's population, are now demanding rights after years of neglect. |
Reports say the police have shot another man dead in violence related to the two-week-old strike. | Reports say the police have shot another man dead in violence related to the two-week-old strike. |
Mr Mahato, who recently resigned as a cabinet minister, told the BBC his Madhesi front's latest talks with the government had failed, because Kathmandu had shown "no interest" in making concessions on their demands. | Mr Mahato, who recently resigned as a cabinet minister, told the BBC his Madhesi front's latest talks with the government had failed, because Kathmandu had shown "no interest" in making concessions on their demands. |
These include asking for their own state within Nepal, with the right to self-determination. | These include asking for their own state within Nepal, with the right to self-determination. |
Madhesis are a populous group of south Nepalese peoples who have always been largely excluded from political power and representation. | Madhesis are a populous group of south Nepalese peoples who have always been largely excluded from political power and representation. |
'Irresponsible government' | 'Irresponsible government' |
Another Madhesi official said the talks had "collapsed" and described the government as "irresponsible". | Another Madhesi official said the talks had "collapsed" and described the government as "irresponsible". |
Dark clouds over Nepal | |
His faction wants a further delay to elections due in April. | His faction wants a further delay to elections due in April. |
Government ministers could not be reached for comment. | Government ministers could not be reached for comment. |
Many Nepalis think postponing the vote would be dangerous. The government does not want to set a precedent in encouraging ethnically-based autonomy in this highly diverse society. | Many Nepalis think postponing the vote would be dangerous. The government does not want to set a precedent in encouraging ethnically-based autonomy in this highly diverse society. |
With the Madhesi front's general strike in the south set to go on, violence has continued. | With the Madhesi front's general strike in the south set to go on, violence has continued. |
Reports say the police shot dead a demonstrating man, a day after another protestor and a policeman were killed further east. | Reports say the police shot dead a demonstrating man, a day after another protestor and a policeman were killed further east. |
Houses of non-Madhesi politicians in the south have been firebombed. There are reports of ambulances being attacked. Many local curfews have been imposed. | Houses of non-Madhesi politicians in the south have been firebombed. There are reports of ambulances being attacked. Many local curfews have been imposed. |
These are partly to allow tankers to bring in petrol and cooking gas from India. | These are partly to allow tankers to bring in petrol and cooking gas from India. |
There are now severe shortages of all basic fuels across the country. | There are now severe shortages of all basic fuels across the country. |
Hospitals, schools and domestic life are badly affected - indeed, so are most activities and sectors. | Hospitals, schools and domestic life are badly affected - indeed, so are most activities and sectors. |
The crisis shows how a new, ethnic dimension to Nepalese politics is now here to stay. | The crisis shows how a new, ethnic dimension to Nepalese politics is now here to stay. |