Kirat Rai Yayokkha's 12th national convention begins in Biratnagar

The 12th national convention of Kirat Rai Yayokkha, a shared social organization of the Kirat Rai community, has begun in Biratnagar.

At the inauguration held at Virendra Sabhagriha on Friday, central chairman Jiban Hatacho Rai warned that another movement would rise in the east if the province were not named Kirat. He also demanded that at least two Rai community languages be included among the province's official working languages and that the Kirat Sirijanga script be adopted, arguing this would not harm anyone.

Koshi Province chief Parashuram Khapung said language and culture are among the nation's most precious assets and that everyone must come together to protect them. He said Yayokkha's demands relate to matters already mentioned in the constitution and that the provincial government must fulfill them. Khapung noted the Rai community's contributions through every change in Nepal, from Kirat-era rulers such as Yalambar and Jitedasti onward.

Indigenous Nationalities Federation chairman Major Yogesh Rai, among others, extended best wishes.

Before the inauguration, participants rallied from Roadses Chowk to the venue, chanting slogans to scrap the name Koshi and create a Kirat province instead.

According to general secretary Bhim Rai, the two-day closed session at Hotel Manaslu will select new leadership. Deputy general secretary Arjun Jammeli Rai said about 700 representatives and observers from branches and linguistic and fraternal organizations at home and abroad are taking part.