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The Tarai is the low flatland area along Nepal's southern border with India. It is the traditional home of the Tharus and some minor ethnic groups. When the then Rana rulers in Kathmandu wanted to exploit this fruitful region economically for their own pockets in the second half of the 19th century, they invited Indian population from accross the border to settle in Nepal's Tarai. These Hindu and Muslim castes of Indian origin became known as Madhesi in Nepal. Till today, the Nepali state has failed to recognize these groups as equal Nepali citizens and to participate them in the state even in the formation process of a 'new Nepal' after 2006. This has led to growing unrest among the Madhesi population. Agitating groups demand a single autonomous Madhes region or even talk of separatism. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the indigenous Tharus, who at least constitute the majority in the western Tarai, do not want to be called Madhesi and call for an autonomous Tharuwan state within the future federal republic of Nepal as all the major ethnic groups do for their respective traditional settlement areas in a similar way. The following numerical facts (see population census of 2001) are disregarded by all agitating groups: About 20% of the Tarai population are indigenous ethnic groups (mainly Tharus), 40% are groups that have immigrated from the hills, and 40% are Madhesi who have immigrated from India. All of them have the right to live there peacefully as equal citizens. The Tarai/Madhes conflict has become the most serious issue in the current crisis solution process.

Press articles (used media abbreviations)

CA poll will fail to liberate tarai: Jwala Singh (kp 12/05/2008)

RSF terms armed Terai groups as 'predators of press freedom' (nn 06/05/2008)

MPRF men burn effigy of chairman (kp 04/05/2008)

Security camps in tarai to stay (kp 02/05/2008)

A Tharu group opposes single terai province (nn 29/04/2008)

Poll post-mortem: Winners or losers, Madhesi parties don’t have a clear plan for the future, by Prashant Jha (nt 25/04/2008)

Madhesi Liberation Tigers leader held (ht 23/04/2008)

Blast owned up (ht 22/04/2008)

Mahantha Thakur loses in Sarlahi (nn 20/04/2008), TMDP chief Thakur loses, NPF’s KC wins (kp 21/04/2008), MJF’s Yadav pips Thakur (ht 21/04/2008), Thakur's loss ‘setback’ for Madhes politics (kp 22/04/2008)

Terai based parties bag votes in hills, mountains (nn 17/04/2008)

Drunk MPRF candidate, 5 others held with arms (kp 13/04/2008)

Extorting S-JTMM cadre held (kp 13/04/2008)

“We are used to the bombs. This is our chance to be heard”: Madhesi voters defy threats and prove everyone wrong, by Prashant Jha (nt 11/04/2008)

JTMM-J men hurt in clash (ht 06/04/2008)

Fear and voting in the Tarai: Madhesi parties pick up steam, amidst fear of violence, by Prashant Jha (nt 04/04/2008), After 4/10: Give the Madhes a stake in the constituent assembly process and government, by Prashant Jha (nt 04/04/2008)

How will Madhes mix affect April 10?, by Ameet Dhakal (kp 03/04/2008)

Bandh hits life in Tarai (ht 03/04/2008)

Madhesi vote decisive in Bardiya-2 (kp 02/04/2008)

Peace deal with Madhesis (Central Chronicle 01/04/2008)

Future of regional Madhesi parties, by Biswo Poudel (kp 31/03/2008)

2 dead in Biratnagar mosque bomb blasts: 2 others critically injured (kp 30/03/2008), Two killed in blasts in Biratnagar mosque (ht 30/03/2008), Mosque attack crime against society: PM, by Binod Bhandari (kp 31/03/2008), Mosque blasts draw condemnation (kp 31/03/2008), NHRC, UNMIN deplore blasts (kp 31/03/2008), Bandh after blasts hits life in three districts (ht 31/03/2008), Biratnagar closed as protests against Saturday's Mosque bombing continue (nn 31/03/2008)

‘Give me vote, I’ll give you autonomy’ (kp 29/03/2008)

Tarai security improves with reinforcements (kp 28/03/2008)

The view from the other side: Under federalism, the Madhes could be another Bihar, by Prashant Jha (nt 28/03/2008)

TMDP, SP forge alliance for 40 constituencies (kp 27/03/2008)

Blasts injure 5 APF personnel, 4 civilians (kp 27/03/2008), Curfew clamped in Inaruwa (kp 27/03/2008), MTMM owns up attack on APF vehicle (ht 27/03/2008)

Willingness shown by Terai armed group for talks is positive: Home Minister (nn 25/03/2008), Four armed groups form talks team (kp 27/03/2008), Govt likely to hold talks with armed Terai groups Friday (nn 27/03/2008), Talks with armed Tarai outfits (ht 28/03/2008), Friday's talks with armed Terai outfits put off (nn 28/03/2008), Govt re-invites terai outfits for talks (nn 29/03/2008), Tarai armed groups’ ultimatum to govt, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 29/02/2008), No talks if cadres not released, claim armed Terai outfits (nn 29/03/2008), Armed Terai outfits announce they won't talk with govt (nn 29/03/20008), Armed groups to blame for stalled talks: Poudel (kp 30/03/2008), Talks with four Tarai groups now uncertain (ht 30/03/2008)

Police makes public 3 JTMM-J musclemen, by Janak Nepal (kp 24/03/2008)

YCL apprehends four MMT cadres (nn 24/03/2008)

Tarai Army cadres set abductee free (ht 24/03/2008)

MPRF demand stalls Madhesi alliance: TMDP, SP explore alternative, by Ameet Dhakal and Aman Koirala (kp 23/03/2008)

Talk to govt: Madhes parties to armed groups (kp 23/03/2008)

Tarai election fallout: The movement has polarised the electorate, but Madhesis may not necessarily vote for Madhesi parties, by Prashant Jha (nt 21/03/2008)

Murkier and murkier: Little to cheer about in the disarray among Madhesi groups, by Prashant Jha (nt 21/03/2008)

JTMM-J owns up one killing: NPF candidate, two Maoists gunned down, by J Pandey (kp 20/03/2008), Bullets render poll scene bloody in Banke (ht 20/03/2008)

Cops defuse 3 bombs in Biratnagar (kp 20/03/2008)

Birgunj ethnic divide healing, by Ameet Dhakal & Sujit Mahat (kp 20/03/2008)

JTMM-J cadres held (ht 17/03/2008)

Blast at UML office in Morang (nn 17/03/2008)

Armed Terai groups announce programmes to disrupt CA poll; Maoist combatants deserting camp (nn 16/03/2008)

Madhes parties talk alliance (kp 15/03/2008), UDMF may field 75 common candidates (kp 16/03/2008)

Madhesi identity slogan fails to click, by Ram Kumar Kamat and Rajesh Verma (ht 15/03/2008)

MJF proposes President with executive power (nn 15/03/2008), MJF manifesto proposes President as chief executive (nn 16/03/2008), MPRF for federal state based on geography (kp 17/03/2008)

Proposes single Madhes: TMDP unveils manifesto (kp 13/03/2008) [60% of the Tarai population are not Madhesis and do not seem to support this demand!], TMDP for ceremonial president (ht 13/03/2008), Signs of separation, by Shreedhar Gautam (kp 13/03/2008)

MJF cadres ruin Sujata’s poll campaign in Sunsari (ht 13/03/2008)

JTMM (J) kills one in Bara (nn 13/03/2008)

Goit aide feels heat of police crackdown, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 12/03/2008)

Thakur 'surprised' over PM's remarks on armed outfits (nn 12/03/2008)

Madhesi parties flout constitution on gender balance: Tarai Dalits almost blanked out, by Bishnu Budhathoki (kp 11/03/2008)

Tarai parties unite; UML, Maoists at odds, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp 11/03/2008)

35 VDC secys threatened, camping in Sunsari HQ, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 11/03/2008), Abducted poll candidate freed (ht 11/03/2008), EC worried with security situation in Terai; ministers urged to abide by code of conduct (nn 11/03/2008)

32 killed in tarai stir declared martyrs (kp 11/03/2008)

3 MMT men held with arms (kp 10/03/2008)

Madhesi Front eyes Kathmandu (ht 10/03/2008)

No talks with armed groups before polls: PM, by Binod Bhandari and Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp 10/03/2008)

Local Tarai leaders say they are united (ht 09/03/2008)

Additional poll security in Siraha, Saptari, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp 08/03/2008), Janamorcha candidate abducted in Kapilvastu (nn 08/07/2008)

Poll drama: Candidate, cash and caste will decide Madhes vote, by Prashant Jha (nt 07/03/2008)

History and geography: New Madhesi parties must correct past injustices, by Bihari K Shrestha (nt 07/03/2008)

Madhesis reluctant to join Nepali Army, by Sujit Mahat and Aman Koirala (kp 06/03/2008)

All but Jwala Singh ready for talks (kp 03/03/2008), JTMM-Jwala bombs NC candidate's house in Nepalgunj (nn 03/03/2008)

JTMM-G is now ATLF (ht 03/03/2008), ATMM expels Sunsari-Morang in-charge (kp 05/03/2008)

16 more parties file nominations: PR candidates total 5,882 (kp 03/03/2008), A pinch of salt (ht 03/03/2008)

Any feudal system in the Government is not acceptable: Upendra Yadav, by Prakash Bom (Global Politician 03/03/2008)

Three armed outfits ready for "talks" (nn 02/03/2008)

NSP-A to take part in polls (kp 02/03/2008), NSP-A and RPP-N decide to join the poll fray (nn 02/03/2008)

Implications Of Terai Agitation, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 02/03/2008)

Historic deal (kp 01/03/2008), Fringe parties object to Madhes deal (kp 01/03/2008), NHRC, FNCCI, NCC welcome deal (kp 01/03/2008), UDMF celebrates victory in tarai districts (kp 01/03/2008), Procedural error in UDMF deal: Sitaula, by Lila Baral (kp 02/03/2008), Tarai trio to field 100 each under PR system (ht 02/03/2008)

UMDF to go to polls as one entity (ht 01/03/2008)

A great man shouldn’t have any ego, Thakur tells of PM, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 01/03/2008)

Parties out on hustings in tarai (kp 01/03/2008)

Yadav says his party is game for electoral alliance (nn (29/02/2008)

Major parties deny dalits candidacy (kp 29/02/2008), Women In Politics (rn 29/02/2008), Nepal Signs Deal with Madhesh (Nepal Monitor 29/02/2008) [includes unofficial translation of the agreement], Govt, UDMF clinch deal, road to poll open, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp 29/02/2008), Koirala government crosses the Rubicon (ht 29/02/2008), India, US, EU, UNMIN welcome deal (kp 29/02/2008), Cabinet endorses Madhes deal: March 2nd set for PR list, 6th for FPTP nominations (kp 29/02/2008), UDMF activists hold victory rallies (kp 29/02/2008), Normalcy returns in Terai, eastern hills still remain closed (nn 29/02/2008)

Candidates threatened (kp 29/02/2008), 1 injured dies, banda hits life (kp 29/02/2008), Cop injured in landmine explosion (kp 29/02/2008)

NHRC says human rights situation has worsened in Terai (nn 29/02/2008)

Govt, UDMF seal a deal; agitation withdrawn (nn 28/02/2008), India,US welcomes govt-UDMF pact (nn 28/02/2008)

Talks stall over group induction into NA (kp 28/02/2008), CPN-UML, Maoists entrust PM to stike deal with Madhes factions (ht 28/02/2008), Govt-UDMF talks linger on (nn 28/02/2008), Government and UDMF close to striking a deal (nn 28/02/2008), The Madhes Street: After a week of brinkmanship, we near a deal, by Prashant Jha (nt 29/02/2008)

15th day of banda: One killed in police firing: Curfew, defiance continue (kp 28/02/2008), Sunsari youth killed for defying curfew (ht 28/02/2008), Banda defied in Sunsari-Morang corridor: Nepalgunj limps back to normal, by J Pandey (kp 28/02/2008), Unrest forces industries to shut down (kp 28/02/2008)

Girl killed in JTMM-G attack on bus (kp)

For the Tharu community, Madhesis are those who have migrated from the South, interview with Narendra Kumar Chaudhary (tg 27/02/2008)

Deal to be struck today: Sitaula: Dialogue didn’t take place: Madhesi leaders, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp 27/02/2008), Stalemate, blame game continue, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 27/02/2008), Nepal ethnic group talks collapse, by Charles Haviland (BBC News 27/02/2008), ‘UDMF trying to save monarchy’ (kp 27/02/2008)

Youth dies in police firing curfew in 5 districts (kp 27/02/2008), Another Tarai agitator killed in police firing (ht 27/02/2008), Ensure supplies of basic items: NHRC (kp 27/02/2008), Bandh takes its toll on Morang students (ht 27/02/2008), Another protester killed in police firing in Sunsari; Madhes unrest enters day 15 (nn 27/02/2008), Madhesi stir threatens to derail April elections (Gulf Times 27/02/2008), No more Us against Them, by Bal Krishna Sharma (kp 27/02/2008)

Agitators set ablaze ex-state minister’s house (kp 27/02/2008)

Tharus against ‘one Madhes state’ (kp 25/02/2008), Deck clear for CA election: SPA, UDMF finally reach deal, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp 25/02/2008), Talkathon, high drama till wee hours (ht 25/02/2008), Nepal: No autonomy for south before poll (Peninsula 25/02/2008), Govt, Madhesis to continue talks on Monday (nn 25/02/2008), Cracks in the Madhesi alliance (nn 25/02/2008)

21 hurt in Tarai clashes (ht 25/02/2008), Curfew in Siraha, Sunsari (kp 25/02/2008), Banda taking toll on industries, by Binod Bhandari (kp 25/02/2008), Schools shut for insecurity, by Shankar Kharel (kp 25/02/2008), Strike threatens health, education services in Kathmandu (Relief Web 25/02/2008), Nepal: Mounting ethnic tension may lead to humanitarian crisis (One World South Asia 25/02/2008)

Do 10-months equal 10-years?, by Shyam KC (kp 25/02/2008), Identity and Madhes autonomy, by Arun Kumar Pokhrel (kp 25/02/2008), Formal govt-FRNF talks end inconclusively (ht 25/02/2008)

Tarai banda: Fresh curfews, arrests, demonstrations mark day 11 (kp 24/02/2008), 15 injured in Tarai clashes (ht 24/02/2008), Strike in southern Nepal continues as talks falter (Gulf Times 24/02/2008), Banda hits life in Morang hard, by Lilaballav Ghimire (kp 24/02/2008)

Tharus say "One Madhes, one province" demand unacceptable (nn 24/02/2008), SPA says no to ‘One Madhes’ (kp 24/02/2008), Key Madhes demand rejected (ht 24/02/2008)

Madhesi parties again snub EC’s deadline to submit closed list of candidates (nn 24/02/2008)

On representing Madhes Andolan: Through the prose of otherness, by Beerendra Pandey (kp 23/02/2008)

TWC against separate Madhes state (kp 23/02/2008)

‘One Madhesh one province’ demand unacceptable: SPA (nn 23/02/2008), Talks flounder over one Madhes, by Ghanashyam Ojha (kp 23/02/2008), No headway in govt-UMDF talks (ht 23/02/2008), Reality check: Change of law won’t end SPA-Madhesi groups’ stand-off, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (ht 23/02/2008), Gupta says govt should amend interim constitution (ht 23/02/2008)

Gross HR violations in tarai: NHRC (kp 23/02/2008), Govt, protesters violating human rights, says NHRC (ht 23/02/2008), 60 hurt in clashes in Rautahat, Dhanusha (ht 23/02/2008), Curfew, clashes in tarai areas (kp 23/02/2008), Curfew lifted in some districts (nn 23/02/2008)

No ethnic politics, excerpts from an interview with Ram Baran Yadav of the NC (nt 22/02/2008, originally in Bishal Nepal, 15 February)

Abducted girl escapes JTMM-J captivity (kp 22/02/2008)

Madhesis, Pahadis and representation, by Sanjeev Uprety (kp 21/02/2008)

Curfew relaxed in Nepalgunj, Birgunj (kp 21/02/2008), Many injured in Tarai clashes (ht 21/02/2008), Tarai bandh: Transporters in east facing daily loss of Rs 50m (ht 21/02/2008)

UDMF, NC leaders near consensus (kp 21/02/2008), Talks between Madhesi leaders, govt fail (ht 21/02/2008), Indian embassy ‘mediates’ talks between NC leaders and UDMF (nn 21/02/2008)

Madhes Burning: Why Are Politicians Unconcerned?, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn 20/02/2008)

1 killed in Lahan: Curfew clamped, Biratnagar also (kp 20/02/2008), 1 killed, 150 hurt in Tarai clashes (ht 20/02/2008), Police kill protester in Nepal's southern plains (Reuters 20/02/2008), Curfews imposed in 3 key southern Nepal cities after clashes leave 2 dead (iht 20/02/2008), Terai turmoil continues on eighth day (nn), Top UN official in Nepal deplores violence against protesters (Relief Web 20/02/2008)

JTMM-J activists attack locals, abduct 4 (kp 20/02/2008), Maoist district leader killed (kp 20/02/2008)

Another JTMM faction emerges, by Shyam Sundar Sashi (kp 20/02/2008)

Time for Madhesi realism, by Monica Regmi (kp 19/02/2008) [Excellent article!!]

UDMF sets conditions for talks (kp 19/02/2008), Govt could request EC to postpone deadline for submitting candidate list (nn 19/02/2008), Avoid excesses: Govt to local admin, police (kp 19/02/2008), UNMIN concerned over tarai violence (kp 19/02/2008), Clashes continue as banda hits sixth day (kp 19/02/2008), Tarai bandh: 150 hurt in clashes in several districts (ht 19/02/2008), Talks with UDMF inconclusive (nn 19/02/2008)

Curfew in 5 districts (kp 19/02/2008), Town still under curfew as Nepal runs out of fuel (Gulf Times 19/02/2008), Indefinite curfew in Biratnagar; Terai bandh enters day 7 (nn 19/02/2008), Fuel crisis shuts Valley schools Hospitals affected (kp 19/02/2008), Food stocks down to week’s supply (kp 19/02/2008), ‘Do not hinder essential goods’ (kp 19/02/2008)

50 injured, curfew clamped: Man dies in Nepalgunj clash, by Janak Nepal (kp 18/02/2008), Tarai bandh: One killed in Banke clash, 150 injured (ht 18/02/2008), Banda cripples east Nepal: Curfew in Saptari (kp 18/02/2008), Blasts rock three Tarai districts (ht 18/02/2008), Situation in Terai, east worsens as strike continues (nn 18/02/2008), Wide angle (ht 18/02/2008), MJF leader vows to continue agitation in Madhes (nn 18/02/2008), Curfew in many districts, Terai turmoil deepens (nn 18/02/2008), Govt renews talks offer to Terai groups; UNMIN concerned over violence (nn 18/02/2008), No dialogue with govt in existing scenario: UDMF leaders (nn 18/02/2008)

Matrika, too, rejects single Madhes demand (nn 18/02/2008), Resolve tarai problems: Carter Center (kp 18/02/2008), ‘I'll resolve Madhes issue through talks’ (kp 18/02/2008) [Nepal's crisis cannot be solved by talks alone! The politicians must fundamentally change in thinking and behaviour!], Call roundtable to solve tarai crisis: RPP (kp 18/02/2008)

Banda day four hits life hard: Defiance, clashes on rise (kp 17/02/2008), 45 hurt in police firing, clashes in Tarai (ht 17/02/2008)

Plywood factory bombed (kp 17/02/2008)

UDMF forms three-man talks team (kp 17/02/2008), UMDF prepares to hold talks with the government (nn 17/02/2008), Tarai demands that affect national unity won’t be met: PM (ht 17/02/2008), PM, SPA articulate their bottom line on Madhes demands (nn 17/02/2008), One Madhesh, One Province: It's Going Too Far, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 17/02/2008)

‘Recognize all Madhes movement dead as martyrs’ (kp 17/02/2008)

On representing and misrepresenting Madhesis, by Puran Agrawal (kp 16/02/2008)

NSP (A) pulls out of SPA (nn 16/02/2008), NSP(A) ‘pulls out’ of SPA (kp 17/02/2008)

‘One Madhes one province’ demand cannot be met: PM (nn 16/02/2008)

Banda affects tarai, eastern hills (kp 15/02/2008), 25 hurt in Tarai bandh violence (ht 15/02/2008), Banda badly hits daily wage workers, by Shankar Kharel (kp 15/02/2008), Address our demands before polls: Thakur (ht 15/02/2008), Six-point demand, by Ameet Dhakal (kp 15/02/2008), Govt invites UMDF trio for talks (ht 15/02/2008), Indefinite banda hits tarai districts (kp 16/02/2008), Banda defied (kp 16/02/2008), Police open fire at protesters in Bara, strike cripples life in Terai (nn 16/02/2008)

Banda paralyzes tarai areas (kp 14/02/2008), MPRF chief warns of ‘capturing’ madhes (kp 14/02/2008)

No to one Madhes, by Ajaya Jang Kunwar (kp 13/02/2008), Madhes Issue Must Be Solved For CA Polls, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn 13/02/2008)

Madhesi leaders claim Indian delegation has supported their demands (nn 13/02/2008)

Terai bandh on despite call for talks (nn 13/02/2008), MJF Warns of Decisive Tarai Stir (ht)

Tarai violence unabated (kp 13/02/2008)

Madhesi Front’s bandh call worries tour operators (nn 11/02/2008)

On representing Madhes, by Arun Gupto (kp 10/02/2008), Madhesi Front (kp 11/02/2008)

New madhesi alliance likely today (kp 09/02/2008), Three Madhesi parties form new alliance; announce stir (nn 09/02/2008), Joint front for madhes launched (kp 10/02/2008), Madhesis want a guarantee of autonomous province, says Mahato (nn 10/02/2008)

2 JTMM-J cadres killed (kp 09/02/2008)

Banda continues to cripple life in Parsa (kp 08/02/2008), Banda hits Parsa, Sarlahi (kp 10/02/2008)

A Tharu association says it is against ‘plot’ to term them Madhesis (nn 07/02/2008)

NHRC concerned about JTMM-Goit’s hit list (nn 04/02/2008)

Ceasefire, talks urged on armed tarai groups (kp 03/02/2008)

Serial blasts near NC mass meeting in Rajbiraj (nn 03/02/2008)

Terai sees no respite from Bandhs (nn 03/02/2008

3 dozen UMF workers injured in clash with police (kp 02/02/2008)

Tarai turmoil taxing judiciary (kp 02/02/2008)

Madhesi Front forces administrative offices in Terai to close down (nn 01/02/2008)

CA crucial for madhesis: Yadav (kp 01/02/2008)

Things fall apart: Will the Madhesi centre hold?, by Prashant Jha (nt 01/02/2008

JTMM-P ‘commander’ released (kp 01/02/2008)

“No Meaning In Holding CA Polls Without Addressing Madhesi Concerns”, intervfiew with Sarbendra Nath Shukla, spokesperson of the recently formed Terai-Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) (sp 01/02/2008)

MPRF unhappy over accord implementation, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp 31/01/2008)

Blasts during SPA mass meet: CDO among 54 injured, bomb varrier under surveillance, by Sujit Mahat and Shankar Acharya (kp 31/01/2008), UNMIN condemns blasts (kp 31/01/2008), ‘Use of force in Madhes will backfire’ (kp 31/01/2008), 11 more blast injured airlifted to capital (kp 01/02/2008), Diplomats, HR groups condemn blasts (kp 01/02/2008)

TMDP a new ally of UMF (kp 31/01/2008)

It’s still not too late for Madhes, by Surendra Phuyal (kp 30/01/2008)

Contest polls: PM urges tarai parties (kp 30/01/2008), TMLP welcomes PM’s remarks (nn 30/01/2008)

Tarai parties linked with armed groups: Dr Yadav (kp 30/01/2008)

Terai unrest has India links: UN envoy (tg 30/01/2008)

TMDP seeks yoked oxen for poll symbol (kp 29/01/2008)

Birgunj bandh ahead of SPA assembly (nn 29/01/2008)

Govt wants talks with TMDP: Poudel (kp 29/01/2008), Implement pact, will help in talks with Goit, Jwala: MPRF (kp 29/01/2008), Demand for autonomy undemocratic: Nidhi (nn 29/01/2008)

No tie-up with armed groups: Yadav (kp 28/01/2008)

Jwala’s men gun down villager in Dhanusha (nn 28/01/2008)

‘Almost every Madhesi demand has been fulfilled’ , interview with Ram Chandra Poudel (kp 28/01/2008)

Security in tarai not conducive for polls’ (kp 25/01/2008), Security beefed up at govt offices (kp 25/01/2008)

NSP-A threatens to quit govt, SPA (kp 25/01/2008)

Nidhi says some Madhesi parties are trying to subvert democracy (nn 25/01/2008)

Janakpur tense after clash, by Shyam Sundar Shashi (kp 24/01/2008), Janakpur shut for 2nd day (kp 25/01/2008), Terai tense as strike continues in several districts (nn 25/01/2008)

TMDP seeks govt view on 11-point demand (kp 23/01/2008), TMLP refuses talks invitation, MJF seeks implementation of agreements (nn 23/01/2008), ‘50 pc Madhesi share at center’ (kp 25/01/2008)

Sushil Koirala attacked, by Ravindra Upreti (kp 23/01/2008), I came to meet Jwala Singh, Goit: Sushil (kp 28/01/2008)

Tarai bandas hit exports (kp 23/01/2008)

‘Madhesis don't want a separate country’, interview with Bimalendra Nidhi (kp 21/01/2008)

Three groups unite to push Madhes protests (kp 21/01/2008)

JTMM-J cadres kill civil servant (kp 21/01/2008)

Little known groups compete to own explosions, by Lila Ballav Ghimire (kp 21/01/2008)

TMDP, UMF announce 2 weeks protest, by Shyam Sundar Shashi and Bharat Jarghamagar (kp 20/01/2008), NSP-A threatens to quit govt (kp 20/01/2008), Civil war might erupt if election forced on Madhesi people: MJF chief (nn 20/01/2008)

Blasts at 2 places in Sunsari (kp 20/01/2008)

Mahato 'quits' parliament (nn 19/01/2008)

JTMM-J abducted found dead (kp 19/01/2008)

Majority of Madhesi demands fulfilled: Nidhi, Nepal (kp 19/01/2008)

Tarai security concerns envoys (kp 19/01/2008)

Bus inferno in Bara, seven killed (nn 19/01/2008), Seven burn to death in passenger bus fire: Five critical, by Upendra Lamichhane (kp 19/01/2008), Seven killed, 27 injured in Bara bus inferno, by Sujit Kumar Aryal and Ravi Dahal (ht 19/01/2008), OHCHR condemns Bara bus ‘bombing’; urges non-violent demonstrations and political rallies (nn 19/01/2008)

Five of madhes origin become CDOs: Four from education, by Yuvraj Acharya (kp 18/01/2008)

Just do it: Things to do right away to avert a national crisis, by Prashant Jha (nt)

Polls unlikely if Madhes remains on boil: Thakur (ht 18/01/2008), Thakur steps up tirade against election; to start Madhes agitation from Saturday (nn 18/01/2008)

Jwala Singh ready for talks under international mediation (nn 17/01/2008)

Agitating Madhesi groups meet in Bihar (kp 17/01/2008)

Let’s talk to find our voice (kp 17/01/2008)

Meet four demands for polls: Mahato (kp 16/01/2008)

Nepal: Terai factor and CA poll, by N.P.Upadhyaya (tg 16/01/2008)

Thakur threatens CA poll boycott: Yadav warns of separatist movement, by Shankar Acharya (kp 13/01/2008), Thakur’s party won’t take part in polls before Madhesi rights are ensured (nn 13/01/2008), Terai-Madhes party applies for registration at EC (nn 13/01/2008), Thakur’s party giving mixed signals on election participation (nn 16/01/2006)

Tarai groups urged to quit communal politics (kp 12/01/2008)

STF arrests Bisfot Singh (nn 12 /01/2008), Bisphot Singh arrested, by Bharat Jhargamagar (kp 13/01/2008)

Armed tarai activists in Valley: Police (kp 11/01/2008)

Mainstream media’s insensitivity to tarai, by Chandrakishore (kp 11/01/2008)

Based in Bihar, Goit claims he is fighting for ‘sovereign homeland’ (nn 11/01/2008)

Mahantha Thakur threatens protest (kp 09/01/2008), TMDP stresses meaningful polls (kp 11/01/2008)

Words, words, words, by Abhi Subedi (kp 09/01/2008)

3 blasts in Birgunj (kp 08/01/2008)

NC remained indifferent to Madhesis: Thakur (nn 08/01/2008)

Thakur’s party not to boycott polls (nn 08/01/2008)

STF becomes additional help to security team, by Sujit Mahat (kp 07/01/2008), Secure professionals in tarai: CONEP (kp 07/01/2008)

Yadav-Mahato front asks Thakur group to join (kp 06/01/2008)

SMM plans decisive Madhes agitation (ht 06/01/2008)

Thakur submits 11-point demand (kp 04/01/2008)

Yadav makes a fuss again! (kp 03/01/2008)

Tarai-Madhes party forms 17-member CWC (kp 01/01/2008) [Also not democratically elected but nominated from above! Bad start!]

Poll to institutionalize Madhesi gains (kp 01/01/2007) [This will not be possible with the planned non-inclusive procedure!!]

'We have a right to declare independence', interview with Mahanta Thakur (kp 31/12/2007)

Attempt to blow off bridge averted, by Shankar Khare (kp 31/12/2007)

10 kidnapped, 28 arrested in Siraha in a month, by Bharat Jarghamagar (kp 31/12/2007)

Madhesi MPs urge NC to address tarai issues (kp 30/12/2007)

Tarai-Madhesh Lokatantrik Party announced: Party not against CA poll (kp 29/12/2007), Invite agitating tarai groups for talks: Yadav (kp)

Background