PM Balen Shah tells Madhesh leaders he is committed to federalism and secularism

Prime Minister Balen Shah has said he remains fully committed to federalism, secularism and the Constitution, while acknowledging shortcomings in the government’s response to the recent unrest that began in Sunsari and spread to parts of Madhesh Province. The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Madhesh-based political leaders at Singha Durbar on Friday amid growing tensions following the Sunsari incident. According to leaders present at the meeting, Shah admitted that the government could have responded better and said all state mechanisms had been mobilised to investigate the incident before he publicly addressed the nation.