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Police, protesters clash in Nepalese capital over constitution

Sunday, 15 May 2016 4:50 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 May 2016 4:50 PM ]

Nepalese activists from the Federal Alliance (members of the Madhesi and ethnic communities) demonstrate against the government in Kathmandu, May 15, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Hundreds of protesters from Nepal’s ethnic minorities have clashed with riot police in the Nepalese capital over the Himalayan nation’s controversial new constitution.

On Sunday, the demonstrators, mostly from the Madhesi ethnic group, blocked the main street in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, creating traffic jams and chanting slogans against the government and the new constitution, which they say leaves them politically further marginalized.

“The government is not serious about our demands and is moving forward independently, even reversing the agreements we have reached in the past,” said the chairman of a regional party that represents the Madhesi minority group.

Reports said the protesters tried to break through a police barricade, pelted stones and smashed governmental office windows. They were quickly pushed back by police forces, however.

No casualties were reported in the protests.

The supporters of Federal Alliance, a coalition of Madhesi-based parties and other ethnic political parties, protest against the new constitution in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 15, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

“We want equality for all ethnic groups in Nepal but the government is not listening to us. That is why we are here,” a 35-year-old protester said.

Nepal’s parliament recently overwhelmingly passed the new constitution, which had been the subject of debate for years due to differences between political factions. The new charter came into force on September 20, 2015.

Protests continue to rock parts of the country, an indication that the new constitution is not likely to allay the concerns of the country’s many already-marginalized groups. Violent protests have claimed the lives of over 50 demonstrators over the past months.

The new constitution aims to restructure Nepal as a federal state made up of seven provinces.

The members of marginalized groups demand their own separate province. The groups include the Madhesi and Tharu ethnic minorities, which mainly inhabit the country’s southern plains.

Several rounds of talks between the Nepalese government and the protesting parties have failed to produce a deal.

In a bid to resolve the issue, the country’s parliament in January amended the constitution to increase the presence of marginalized communities in government bodies; however, protesters say the amendments do not address their main concern.

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