Kathmandu: The talks between the Nepalese government and Madhesi groups demanding greater economic and political rights in Terai region failed to make any headway, with the ethnic Indian community leaders accusing authorities of using "bullet and stick" to suppress their agitation.

The talks, which continued till late last night, focussed on the major issues of Terai, including the federal system, an autonomous region for Terai and more rights and inclusion of the Madhesi people in all state organs, an official involved in the talks said.

Peace Minister Ramchandra Poudyal led the government's talks team.

"The talks have failed as the government team sit for dialogue without adequate home work and they were just trying to patch up things without addressing the main issue," said Ramchandra Ray, central member of Terai Madhes Democratic Party, a part of the UMDF.

"Our main demand was to declare Terai-Madhes as the single autonomous region with full rights," Ray said.

The government has continued to use force to suppress the movement, which has invited more problems, he claimed.

"Unless the government stops such a means to suppress the agitation by bullet and stick , how can the talks progress?" the leader asked.

However, another Madhesi leader Hridayesh Tripathi said that the talks have not yet failed.

"Still there are some ways to resolve the issue," Tripathi said, adding the talks are not running smoothly as the coalition government do not share a clear "vision".

Meanwhile, the blockade imposed by the agitating Madhesi groups continued for the 11th day today with vehicles remaining off the road and shops and factories shut down.
Source : PTI