BIRATNAGAR: Normal life in the Terai region came to a standstill today due the bandh called by Madhesh Janadhikar Forum Nepal. The MJF has called a 2-day bandh starting today in 20 tarai districts demanding the resignation of the present government and implementation of agreements reached between the party and the government.

Industries, education institutions, market places remained shut in places including Biratnagar, Itahari, Jhapa, Saptari, Siraha while Janakpur was partly affected.

In Jhapa, cadres of MJF and MJF-Democratic clashed at Bhadrapur. Police detained 15 people in connection to the incident. SP Rabindra Sharma said, "We arrested 15 cadres of the parties to prevent any untoward incident."

According to our Sunsari correspondent, Inaruwa, Jhumka, Duhabi areas were partly affected by the bandh. Bandh enforcers vandalised two commuter buses alleging them of defying bandh at Louki. Similarly a motorcycle was vandalised in Duhabi. Industries in Sunsari-Mornag corridor area remained shut. A report from Siraha said that the police detained four persons including district chairman of the party Ashok Yadav, who were involved in vandalism, at Lalbandi. No vehicles of short and long routes plied from Malangawa.

Similarly, Police detained at least 36 demonstrators in Janakpur. The bandh enforcers vandalised six vehicles in the district. In Mahottari, police detained 15 demonstrators from Jaleswor. Chairman of Youth Forum Mahottari Yogendra Yadav was critically injured in a clash with the police personnel today morning. He is undergoing treatment in Jaleswor hospital. Police later on released all the detained demonstrators. Meanwhile, market places in Rautahat remained shut and the vehicles remained off the road.

Similarly, no vehicles plied in Kalaiya-Birgunj road section in Bara. The bandh enforcers vandalised an electronics shop located at Kalaiya-6 for defying bandh, however, the bandh enforcers have promised to

provide compensation to the owner.

A report from Rupandehi said that the life in the district also remained standstill due to the bandh. However, vehicles destined to Butwal to Palpa, Gulmi, Argachhai including other hilly districts hit the road.

Meanwhile, Nepalis coming from India and tourists entering Nepal via Sunauli entry point have been stranded in border.

Similarly, the bandh enforcers vandalised two motorcycles including one having Indian number for defying the bandh in Parasi. Market Places, industries and education institutions remained shut throughout the day in the area. Market places and industries were open in Sunbal, Bardaghat and other areas, however, no vehicles plied on the road.

Vehicles of short route plied in Arunkhola, Kawasoti, Pragatinagar, Gaidakot areas, while marketplaces and industries remained open.

Life in Nepalgunj was also affected due to the bandh, however, no untoward incident has been reported. Market places, industries, education institutions remained shut and no vehicles plied in the area.