Ethnic groups shut down Nepal

Normal life in capital city Kathmandu and other parts of the country was crippled on Friday due to nationwide general strike called by an alliance of several ethnic groups.

The agitating Indigenous Nationalities Broader Front-Nepal (INBF-N).cadres obstructed vehicular movement and forcefully shut down businesses, market and academic institutions to press the government to ensure greater representation of ethnic nationalities in state structures.

Though all public vehicles choose to remain off the road for fear of vandalism, a few private two-wheelers and private vehicles could be seen plying in Kathmandu’s streets.

A large number of riot policemen were deployed to prevent any untoward incident in Kathmandu.

The shutdown affected the tourists, most of them remained within their hotels on the New Year day due to lack of transport facilities.

According to Home Ministry, over 40 cadres of the ethnic groups were arrested from various parts of the country for forcefully obstructing vehicular movement. However, there were no incidents of vandalism reported both in the capital and across the country during the strikes.

The INBF-N, an alliance of dozens of indigenous organizations, called general strike to exert pressure on the government to implement the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.

Among other things, the body sought guarantee of democratic republic, proportional representation of indigenous nationalities in all state structures, federalism with rights to self-determination, ethnic autonomy, political priority, secularism and group identity for indigenous nationalities.

- Asian Tribune -