By Gopal Sharma KATHMANDU, April 11 (Reuters) - A Madhesi ethnic group, which organised a series of deadly protests in large swathes of Nepal's southern plains this year, said on Wednesday it would call a general strike next week to renew its call for regional autonomy. At least 58 people have been killed this year in protests by the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, which says it represents the ethnic Madhesi people living in the southern plains of Terai, home to nearly half of Nepal's 26 million people. The Forum says Nepal's ruling elite dominated by highlanders has discriminated against its community in government jobs and seats in parliament. "We have called for a general strike on April 20, 21, and 22 in the entire Madhesh region against the anti-Madhesi and anti-democracy policy of the government," Forum chief Upendra Yadav said in a statement. The group has organised regular protests and strikes this year in large parts of the southern plains, the impoverished nation's bread basket, crippling daily life and disrupting supply of fuel and other essential goods to Kathmandu. The unrest has overshadowed a landmark peace process with Maoist rebels who have joined an interim government in a deal to end a decade-long civil war in which some 13,000 people died. The Forum has so far refused talks with the government, insisting that Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, accused of ordering excessive force to crush protests, must resign.
