Kathmandu: The agreement reached by the Gaur Incident Investigation Committee and the government of Nepal has raised concerns with the Janata samajbadi party, Lead by Upendra Yadav.

The five-point agreement reached on Tuesday between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the conflict-affected ‘Gaur’ Incident Committee has left the third major component of power, the JSPN uneasy to the government. JSPN Chairman Upendra Yadav expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement, meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday.

The incident, which resulted in the death of 27 people about 17 years ago, including JSPN (formerly Madhesi Janadhikar Forum) Chairman Yadav, has been alleged to be associated with. The investigation into the incident was agreed upon between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Conflict Committee in the seven-point agreement. In light of this, Yadav, who was released, held discussions and negotiations with the leaders of the ruling coalition party throughout Wednesday.

As per the agreement signed by Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Chairperson Rupasagar Devi Upadhyay from the Conflict Committee, a public announcement was made about the ongoing investigation, stating that based on facts and evidence, legal action would be taken against the guilty. Details of the deceased person’s statement would be published in the Nepal Gazette, and in cases where the deceased person’s declaration is not available, steps would be taken to advance the process of martyrdom declaration, and a monument for martyrs would be erected in Rautahat district. Adequate management for treatment of those injured in the incident and proper management of treatment for those affected by the incident would also be agreed upon.

On the same day, February 18, 2007, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and the Young communist league(YCL) of the Maoists had organized a program by going to the Gaur-based Rice Mill. The program turned violent and led to destructive and violent incidents, resulting in the death of 27 Maoist workers. Following the incident, the National Human Rights Commission conducted an on-site study and the Forum activists who were preparing alongside the Commission brought out a report stating that they were controlling individuals in a dehumanizing and cruel manner, leading to murder. The commission, led by the then Chief Justice of the Appellate Court, Hari Prasad Sharma, ruled the incident as premeditated and declared 64 individuals guilty. The Maoists claimed that the then Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Chairman Yadav was responsible for the murder. The families of the deceased have publicly accused Yadav.

According to JSPN spokesperson Manish Suman, various studies have claimed that the Maoists were responsible for the Gaur Incident. He said that most reports, whether confidential or public, have shown the Maoists to be guilty. “This makes yesterday’s agreement questionable. This agreement has distorted the course of the incident,” he said. JSPN leader and MP Pradeep Yadav also indicated that the government’s approval was a conspiracy against the JSPN. “This is a serious matter for us,” he said. “Regarding this matter, the party will hold a meeting and issue an official statement.”

As per a leader of the JSPN, the government is using the ‘sword of terror’ over their party chairman to exert pressure. Since their participation in the government, the unhappiness has grown, and the recent budget vote on has not brought joy to the JSPN-led coalition. The meeting between Yadav and CPN-UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli, as well as the periodic discussions, have left Prime Minister Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Deuba concerned. “There is a planned conspiracy to conduct investigations by creating pressure during the time of government participation,” stated the JSPN leader. “They are trying to keep JSPN outside the government and create pressure, but that won’t work.”

With 12 seats in the House of Representatives, JSPN has secured the position of Vice President from the same coalition, while having two ministers in the government. In the 275-member House of Representatives, the coalition has 156 members. If the JSPN exits the government, it won’t impact the majority in the government. JSPN spokesperson Suman denies the idea of separation from the government. “As much as there are reports about discord within the government, they are wrong,” he said. “The Chairman has not discussed leaving the government or the power-sharing arrangement with any leader.”