laxLaf/ a;]sf] Joj:yflksf–;+;bsf] a}7s . tl:a/ M k|bLk/fh jGt, /f;; Clause-wise deliberation on the constitution amendment bill is now underway in Parliament. Photo: RSS

Three people, including an elderly woman, were killed in a violent clash on Thursday as Parliament began clause-wise deliberations on the first constitution amendment bill without a deal between the Big Three parties and the Madhesi Front.

Just a few hours before a Parliament meeting was to begin, Prime Minister KP Oli had called an all-party meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar to bring Madhesi parties on board. But, Madhesi parties walked out of Baluwatar alleging that the Oli government was 'not capable to address their demands'. Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) Chair Upendra Yadav told journalists: "This government is not capable to end the crisis."

IMG_20160121_145332 Police show a Khukuri left by protesters in Rangeli, Morang on Thursday. Photo: Kamal Rimal

As negotiations failed in Kathmandu, a fresh wave of violence erupted in the eastern Tarai district of Morang. Madhesi protesters carrying bamboo batons and knives resorted to vandalism, and police opened fire to disperse them. A woman was shot dead in the firing. The death toll hit three by the evening as two more succumbed to bullet injuries.

The Big Three parties have decided to pass the amendment bill even without a deal with the Madhesi Front. Parliament is scheduled to endorse it through a vote on Sunday after two days of clause-wise deliberation.

After Parliament was convened without a deal, Madhesi legislators walked out of the house and have said they will not vote for or against the amendment bill next week. In the 601-member Constituent Assembly, 58 legislators affiliated to the agitating Madhesi parties had boycotted a vote on the new constitution last September. And they have now also rejected the amendment bill.

The bill would modify three articles of the constitution addressing: Madhesi demands for proportional representation, constituency delimitation and representation in Parliament. But Madhesi leaders have rejected the bill saying it is 'incomplete'. They have also made it clear that they will not call off protests even after the passage of the bill.

Despite this, the top leaders of the three major parties are hoping that India will ease its stranglehold on the supply of fuel and other essential commodities when the bill is pushed through. After Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Thapa's last visit to India, the Oli government had passed a resolution to amend three articles of the constitution. India, which had only 'noted' the promulgation of the constitution, welcomed Nepal's decision to amend the charter.

India also issued a statement urging all sides to 'show maturity and flexibility'. But flexibility has been hard to come by, as Madhesi parties have consistently refused to ink a deal unless the ruling parties sign a written agreement for the creation of only two provinces encompassing the whole Tarai region.