JHAPA: The indefinite bandh called by the Nepal Backward Class Federation (NBCF) paralysed several Tarai districts for the second day today.

The bandh enforcers, supporting Bharat Mahato faction of the NBCF, called the bandh demanding the formation of Backward Class Council and reservation for them in the state organs.

Police detained 29 bandh enforcers while they were forcefully closing shops and trying to vandalise vehicles at Birtamod in Jhapa. Those held have been kept at Area Police Office, Birtamod. Businesses and educational institutions remained shut. People were forced to head towards their destination on foot as vehicles stayed off the roads.

The bandh enforcers clashed with the police at Laxmanawa in Birgunj-18 this afternoon.

Police charged batons on the bandh enforcers while they were trying to shut shops.

"No one was injured in the scuffle," the police said. The police arrested Brij Mohan Kushbaha, Bara district president of the NBCF. Kushbaha has been kept at the District Police Office. Long and short distance vehicles stayed off the roads. However,

educational institutions opened in Birgunj.

Meanwhile, police escorted vehicles heading to different parts of the country along the East-West Highway in Rautahat district. But the Gaur-Chandranigahpur section of the Birendra Highway wore a deserted look.

According to our Dang correspondent, the bandh enforcers clashed with police in Lamahi of Dang. The clash ensued after

the police charged batons on bandh enforcers from pelting stones on vehicles. The bandh enforcers obstructed traffic in Lamahi. They did not allow vehicles to ply on the East-West Highway in the district.

Earlier, the bandh enforcers had agreed to let the stranded vehicles head towards their destinations, following an all-party meeting between administration, bandh enforcers and passengers. However, the band enforcers rolled back their decision and hurled stones on the vehicles.

The police arrested five bandh enforcers, including the district president of NBCF, for involving in unruly activities. The bandh also affected Deukhuri valley in Dang. Meanwhile, the bandh crippled daily life in Sarlahi,

Bara and Siraha.