Indigenous groups shut down parts of Nepal, demand autonomy

Apr 27, 2011, 8:54 GMT

Kathmandu - Indigenous demonstrators paralyzed the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and other parts of the country Wednesday, demanding autonomy to better protect women and minorities from discrimination.

The state committees of Newa and Tamsaling, which represent two indigenous communities totalling over 10 per cent of the population, are demanding that their concerns be taken into account in the new constitution.

'We want the constitution to pave the way for autonomous federal states, that ensure the rights of the Dalits [the untouchable Hindu caste], women and the indigenous communities,' they said in a joint statement released late Tuesday.

Schools, markets and businesses were closed in the capital and other districts. Public and private vehicles were banned from the street, leaving thousands stranded, as only emergency vehicles were allowed to circulate.

Malla K Sundar, a leader of the Newa committee, said Wednesday that the groups had been making their demands for two years but felt compelled to carry out the strike to make their voices heard.

The two organizations demanded that the constitution currently being drafted be completed by May 28th, after several previous deadlines were missed.

The indigenous communities have complained of displacement from their lands due to urban expansion and immigration.

The committee represents the Newar people, the Buddhist original inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley, who currently make up around 5 per cent of Nepalese.

The Tamsaling state committee speaks on behalf of the Tamangs, who live in the mid-hills region, and comprise around 6 per cent of the country's population.

The majority of modern Nepalese have their ethnic roots in China, India or Mongolia. The country is 80 per cent Hindu, with significant Buddhist and Muslim minorities.

The government has warned that the deadline for the constitution may not be met. There have been several postponements since the end of a 10-year civil war against Maoist rebels in 2006.

The government is also divided over how best to reintegrate the 19,000 former Maoist combatants.

The Himalayan nation is also facing power shortages with blackouts of up to 14 hours a day due to fuel shortages.

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