Pro-identity groups ready ‘1,000-member squad’ targeting UML’s program

KATHMANDU: Pro-identity groups claim to have prepared a youth squad numbering 1,000 to counter CPN-UML’s ‘Jhulaghat-Chiwa Bhanjyang Sankalp Yatra’ campaign in Panchthar district on Saturday.

The Province-1 Panchthar Struggle Committee has already announced programs in four rural municipalities – Chature, Jhorpokhare, Goptetar, and Yangbarak – of the district on December 16 and 17.

UML’s campaign, which began from Jhulaghat of Baitadi on November 30, progresses along the Mid-Hills Highway through these municipalities before concluding near the Nepal-India border at Chiwa Bhanjyang.

Subash Tumbapo of the struggle committee said they have planned different programs in four rural municipalities on December 16 and 17. “UML leadership has repeatedly tried to portray pro-identity activists as criminals,” he said, adding: “The campaign that they are organizing has created a situation of confrontation among people.”

Pro-identity activists have been protesting the renaming of Province 1 as ‘Koshi Province,’ and demanding that the province be renamed on the basis of identity. They have been organizing protests in all 14 districts of the province.

UML, however, has maintained that its campaign has nothing to do with the ongoing protest of pro-identity groups. Speaking at a press meet in Phidim on Wednesday, UML central committee member and lawmaker Basanta Kumar Nembang said they were ready to sit in discussion with leaders of pro-identity groups. “We have collected people’s opinions on economic development and other issues during the campaign,” he added.

A man threw a punch at UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at Leguwa of Dhankuta on Thursday. Police have arrested a local Mahesh Rai for trying to assault Oli. UML leaders, however, have been maintaining that no such incident has happened.