Birgunj, February 28:

People in different districts of the Tarai region heaved a sigh of relief today after the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) signed an agreement with the government yesterday and withdrew its indefinite bandh that had crippled the Tarai and adjoining districts for the last 15 days.

Word of the deal and the withdrawal of the bandh had spread like wild fire after TV channels began airing the news of the development in Kathmandu yesterday. Cooped up in their houses due to the bandh and curfew, elated Tarai people rushed outdoors. Shopkeepers instantly pulled up their shutters and began a cleaning drive to gear up for the next day’s business. Customers also began streaming into the shops. More than anyone else, students rejoiced.

The SLC exams are nearing and they had been risking their lives to go to tuition centres during the bandh and curfew.

In Nawalparasi district, curfew was lifted at 6 pm. Vehicles on the district’s section of Mahendra highway also began plying. Curfew in Bara district, in force from 7 pm to 10 pm, was also lifted.

Deal denounced:

BIRGUNJ: Bhagyanath Gupta, leader of the breakaway faction of MJF, claimed on Thursday the government-UMDF deal was a hoax and staged a protest with his supporters here. Gupta accused UMDF leaders of deceiving the Madhesi people for their vested interests. — HNS