27 Nov, Kathmandu:
Minister for Home Affairs Shakti Basnet has asserted that the government has accorded high priority to resolving the ongoing agitation in various districts across southern plains through talks and dialogue.
Speaking at the meeting of Social Justice and Human Rights Committee under Legislature-Parliament, Minister Basnet said so in course of appraising the Committee about the government’s effort towards resolving the agitation that has already claimed the lives of 46 persons.
Citing an example of the utmost restraint and patience the government was exercising when it come to dealing with the agitation, he clarified, “If the government was to mark its presence in the activities and programmes waged by agitators, it would spell a disaster; but the government is thoughtful towards its avoidance.”
As many as 950 persons were reported injured during the protest waged by disgruntled Madhesh-centric political parties expressing their displeasure over the delineation of federal provinces and Madheshis’ representation in parliament and public offices, according to him.
In the meeting Minister Basnet shared that there was no obstruction faced so far in terms of escorting the customs –cleared- vehicles nor were the roads obstructed.
Furthermore, it was also shared that a government-formed monitoring team was keeping a close eye over black-marketing of essential goods so as to avert humanitarian crisis.
A total of 199 peddlers dealing in petroleum products were arrested from various parts of the country so far, according to Minister Basnet.
On the occasion, parliamentarians like Basundhara Roka, Rammaya Bogati, Hitraj Pandey, Paanchkarna Rai, Krishna Bahadur Chamtel, Kamala Kumari Ghimire, Dhan Bahadur Rana and Geeta Chettri voiced their concerns over the ongoing agitation univocally and recommended its resolution through talks and dialogue.
Chairperson of the Committee Sushil Kumar Shrestha drew the government’s attention towards curbing black-marketing of vital commodities, including fuel. RSS
