A decade since Tikapur incident: Tharuhat issue remains unaddressed

Dhangadhi: Ten years have passed since the Tikapur incident, yet the demands of the Tharuhat movement remain unaddressed.

On Bhadra 7, 2072, during the drafting of Nepal’s constitution, a violent clash erupted in Tikapur between Tharuhat protesters and police, leaving eight people dead, including a minor. A curfew was immediately imposed, and the Nepali Army was mobilized.

The following day, on Bhadra 8, more than 83 structures belonging to the Tharu community — including houses, shops, FM stations and other properties — were set on fire in the presence of security forces during the curfew.

The incident occurred when both the Akhand Sudurpaschim and Tharuhat movements were at their peak. Supporters of the Akhand movement demanded that the existing Far Western Development Region be declared a province, while Tharu communities pushed for a Tharu-dominated province.

Eventually, the Far Western Development Region, including Kailali and Kanchanpur, became Sudurpaschim Province, while Banke and Bardiya were included in Lumbini Province. However, Tharuhat activists — many of whom continue to face legal challenges following the Tikapur incident — maintain that their demands have been ignored. They continue to mark the day as "Rebellion Day," saying the state has failed to listen to their voices.