Siraha, October 16:

Accusing police personnel of torturing its cadre Chandra Kumar Yadav to death in custody on Tuesday, the Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum called a general strike in the Siraha bazaar, the district headquarters of Siraha, today.

The bazaar remained tense as MJF cadres and relatives of the dead staged demonstrations throughout the day. There was a heavy deployment of security personnel in the bazaar.

The bandh caused disruption in vehicular movement on the East-West highway.

Cadres of the Nepali Congress and Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party also joined in the demonstrations.

The agitators took out a rally in the bazaar in the evening.

MJF district chairman Kishori Yadav issued a press release, urging the government to take

action against police personnel, including SP Ramesh Kharel, who allegedly tortured Chandra Kumar Yadav, pay Rs 25 lakh to the deceased’s family and declare the deceased a martyr.

The family of the victim has not claimed Yadav’s body till late in the evening. Santa Bir Yadav, father of the deceased, said they will not claim the body until their demands are met.