Kathmandu: Nepal'sethnic protesters fighting for autonomy today (Feb 8, 2007) hailed PrimeMinister Girija Prasad Koirala's late night address to the nation as the firstvictory of the Madhesi people but warned they would not talk with thegovernment till their preconditions were met.

After violence, closures, arson and looting engulfed Nepal'ssouthern plains for nearly three weeks, Koirala was compelled to make anunprecedented move and address the nation twice in a week.

The last time such a thing happened was during the period ofnational crisis last April when King Gyanendra, forced to step down as head ofgovernment by a mass uprising, addressed the nation twice.

Like the king's late-night declaration that he was restoringparliament, the prime minister, after days of indecision and prolongeddiscussions by the ruling parties, finally addressed the nation around 11.30p.m. Wednesday, saying the demands of the Terai protesters will be met.

After a mammoth seven-hour meeting with his alliesWednesday, Koirala finally pledged his government's readiness to amend the newconstitution implemented last month to pave the way for the decentralisation ofpower with a federal Government.

In the brief speech, lasting less than 10 minutes, Koiralaalso agreed to meet the Terai diaspora's demand for proportional electoralrepresentation in the upcoming polls. The government will now create newconstituencies, especially in the plains, based on population and geography.

The premier also expressed regret for the death of over 20people during the protests.

"This is a victory for the Madhesi people," saidUpendra Yadav, chief of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum that has been spearheadingthe protests.

"This is the first time in Nepal's history that the state hasbowed before the wishes of the Madhesi people,"he said.

The protesters, known as Madhesis - people of mostly Indianorigin living in the plains - began their movement from the middle of January,demanding an autonomous Madhes state to be carved out of nearly 22 districts, afederal government and the end of discrimination against Madhesis.

The diaspora, though it comprises almost half of Nepal'spopulation, has near zero representation in the government, judiciary or army.Even among the new appointments made by the democratic seven-party Koiralagovernment, only about two percent are Madhesis.

Nearly 40 percent of the community still do not havecitizenship. The plains lack schools, hospitals and even roads.

As the Forum leaders began discussing their reaction to thegovernment move, Yadav said though the address had some positive elements, hisgroup would not begin talks until its preconditions were met.

According to the Forum, 37 protesters have been killed sofar and 621 injured.

Protesters say Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has toquit, owing moral responsibility for the deaths.

They also want the government to arrest the Maoist cadreswho began the violence by shooting an 18-year-old student last month.

Though Nepal'sapex rights body, the National Human Rights Commission, has also urged thegovernment to bring to book the killers of Ramesh Mahato, the government hasnot responded for fear of offending the Maoists, who are expected to join thecabinet soon.