PHIDIM: Normal life in several districts in the east came to a stand still today due to a bandh called by Federal Student Union, the student wing of Limbuwan State Council.

Market and business in Biratnagar, Dharan, Itahari, Birtamod, Dhankuta Ilam, Taplejung were completely shut due to the strike. Vehicles in the area remained off the road and educational institutions were closed as well.

The Federal Student Union had called the bandh in nine districts in the east to protest the killing of its member, Manil Tamang during Free Student Union's election in Dhulabari Campus, Jhapa a year ago.

The Union warned that it would enforce a strike throughout the country from March 21 if their demands were not met. Their demands include declaring Manil a martyr and a compensation of Rs 1 million to Tamang's family.

Meanwhile, the police arrested six cadres of the union from Phidim while they were enforcing the bandh. The arrested are Sangam Khanal, Prithraj Yongya, Ranasingh Laxam, Prakash Limbu, Hemraj Yongya and Machindra Thegim.

According to a detainee, Sangam Khanal, plain clothed policemen took them to the District Police Office saying that DSP Yagya Binod Pokhrel had called them for talks. Khanal said that no discussion had been held yet. However, DSP Pokhrel made it clear that they had taken the agitators into custody to avert any untoward incident during bandh.