Talk to the tarai

A new terror is being unleashed in the tarai by several armed groups. In the name of the Jantantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha, these groups are threatening, physically assaulting, abducting, and looting from hill migrants, who they call ?pahadiya?.

They prevent pahadiyas from working and constantly put pressure on them to return to their homes in the hill districts.

Recently, TJMM president Jwala Singh warned that no pahadiya was allowed to ride or operate public transport for two weeks. ?If anyone defies our orders, the vehicle will be destroyed anywhere, at any time,? said Singh. The TJMM declared that only tarai madhesis have the right to use the east-west Mahendra highway.

A large number of families who have been living for the last few decades in Saptari, Siraha, and Janakpur are now considering leaving. The TJMM was responsible for the murder of RPP parliamentarian Krishna Charan Shrestha, and the group says any hill migrant who poses an obstacle to their activities could face a similar fate. The TJMM?s prime target used to be the Maoists, but now

innocent civilians from the hills are falling victim to their political terror, and the tarai is becoming increasingly radicalised and militant. The government seems to be quiet even though civilians are being abducted, looted, and displaced from their homes. This issue has not even been discussed in parliament. In the name of madhesi rights, the fire of hatred against the hill migrants is spreading. The situation will go out of control if nothing is done right now. This is why the government should not delay in talking with the tarai leaders about resolving the issue, and not focus all their energy only on mainstreaming the Maoists. The government shouldn?t underestimate the TJMM, which has the potential to grow very large. The Maoists were also a small party once.