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S Nepal strike enters second day S Nepal strike enters second day
(about 5 hours later)
An indefinite general strike called by a regional group in Nepal has crippled life across the southern Terai plains for the second straight day.An indefinite general strike called by a regional group in Nepal has crippled life across the southern Terai plains for the second straight day.
In Biratnagar town, protesters damaged a truck and an ambulance even as many people have vowed to defy the strike.In Biratnagar town, protesters damaged a truck and an ambulance even as many people have vowed to defy the strike.
The strike by Madheshi protesters is in support of their demand for a federal system of government. The strike by members of the Madheshi community is in support of their demand for a federal system of government.
The government has vowed to meet the Madheshi demands, but protesters say they have not been consulted yet.The government has vowed to meet the Madheshi demands, but protesters say they have not been consulted yet.
The Madheshi started their protests in mid-January and the agitation has claimed more than two dozen lives.The Madheshi started their protests in mid-January and the agitation has claimed more than two dozen lives.
Their main campaigning group, the Madheshi People's Rights Forum, wants greater rights for its people and an end to what it calls upper-caste discrimination.Their main campaigning group, the Madheshi People's Rights Forum, wants greater rights for its people and an end to what it calls upper-caste discrimination.
Opposing strikeOpposing strike
But as the indefinite strike entered its second day, many farmers, industrialists and transporters have come out in defiance of the strike.But as the indefinite strike entered its second day, many farmers, industrialists and transporters have come out in defiance of the strike.
The government has assured them that they would be compensated for any damages sustained while defying the strike.The government has assured them that they would be compensated for any damages sustained while defying the strike.
But reports say most public transport has remained off the roads and effects of the strike have been felt in most of the 22 Terai districts. But reports say most public transport has remained off the roads and the effects of the strike have been felt in most of the 22 Terai districts.
Madheshi campaigners say provincial governments based on language and caste need to be introduced.Madheshi campaigners say provincial governments based on language and caste need to be introduced.
Talks between the government and representatives of the federation failed to make progress last week. Talks between the government and representatives of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities failed to make progress last week.
The Madheshi are made up mainly of Hindus and Muslims and many prefer speaking one of a number of local languages rather than Nepali.The Madheshi are made up mainly of Hindus and Muslims and many prefer speaking one of a number of local languages rather than Nepali.
Madheshis make up 33-45% of Nepal's population of 27 million but are vastly under-represented in government and the army, which tend to be dominated by hill-dwellers.Madheshis make up 33-45% of Nepal's population of 27 million but are vastly under-represented in government and the army, which tend to be dominated by hill-dwellers.