Nawalparasi, August 17

Life was hit hard on the second of the two-day general strike called by the 33-party alliance, including the Mohan Baidhya-led CPN-Maoist across the country today. Though the two-day bandh is over, Joint Madhesi Democratic Morcha has called an indefinite Tarai bandh from today itself.

A bandh called by Federal Limbuwan Party threw life out of gear in eastern Nepal. Joint Madhesi Morcha has called indefinite bandh demanding that the draft statute be rewritten with autonomous Madhes Pradesh. Limbuwan has also called a general strike in the nine districts east of Arun River seeking a separate Limbuwan province.

An APF head constable was injured when bandh enforcers clashed with security personnel in Belaspur, Nawalparasi. Cadres of Madhesi parties had picketed Belaspur Police Post. Head Constable Kashiram BK was injured after the gun he was carrying opened fire while trying to disperse the mob from the police post. BK is undergoing treatment at Bhairahawa-based Universal Medical College.

Bandh organisers set fire to the office of Chandra Canal Irrigation Management Division at Rajbiraj, Saptari, for defying the strike. Chairs, tables and other furniture were destroyed in the arson. A firefighter from Rajbiraj Municipality brought the fire under control. The same bandh organizers also vandalised the office of Eastern Regional Irrigation Management Office. Bandh enforcers set a bus en route to Rajbiraj from Kathmandu on fire at Ghurmi.

Short and long route buses stayed off the road on the East-West Highway and Mahendra Highway. Market places, businesses, schools, factories pulled down their shutters in various districts, including Chitwan, Makawanpur, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Morang, Jhapa, Panchthar and Ilam.

Gas cylinder explodes in Kavre

KAVRE: Cadres of the CPN-Maoist and the 33-party alliance on Monday exploded an LPG Gas cylinder at Khatrigaun of Banepa, Kavre. The explosion unleashed terror among locals in Banepa and adjoining areas.  Police teams deployed from District Police Office and Area Police Office Banepa recovered pieces of the detonated gas cylinder. DSP Raj Kumar KC said the cylinder was wrapped in a sack placed inside the tyre of a bus.  Police surmise that bandh organisers might have detonated the cylinder to terrorise the public.