Ilam, February 17:

Locals from the eastern parts of Ilam disrupted vehicular movement on the Ilam section of Mechi Highway today as well. They also vandalised four vehicles last night for defying their strike.

The locals have been demonstrating in Fikkal and other adjoining areas, demanding

reinstatement of government offices, which were shifted from Fikkal to Aitabare during the armed conflict.

Police confirmed that the agitators vandalised a bus, a microbus, a van and a motorbike last night.

Residents of Fikkal, Pashupatinagar, Kanyam and adjoining areas have been obstructing vehicular movement in the district, demanding reinstatement of branch offices of Rastriya Banijya Bank and Agriculture Development Bank Limited and the fee collection counter of Nepal Electricity Authority in Fikkal.

They have also shut the Fikkal bazaar indefinitely. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded in different parts of the district because of the strike.

However, locals of Aitabare have said that the government offices should not be shifted back to Fikkal. They have also warned of protests if the offices were forcefully shifted to Fikkal.