Siraha, July 18:

Life in Siraha, Saptari, Bara, Sarlahi, Dhanusha and Mahottari districts was affected by the one-day bandh called by the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha-Jwala Singh (JTMM-J) to mark the third death anniversary of its cadre, Binay Kumar Mahato (Suraj). The Maoists had killed Mahato.

On the eve of the bandh, JTMM-J cadres exploded dozens of bombs at Bariyarpatti, Zero Mile, Dhangadhi, Bhagwanpur, Golbazaar and VDCs adjoining Siraha headquarters. They also took out torch rallies all over the district and resorted to firing in the air.

Long and short distance vehicles did not ply in all the districts. Educational institutions, factories, industrial plants, business establishments, hotels and shops remained shut.

Most of the rural bazaars in all these districts also remained closed, while government offices saw thin attendance. JTMM-J cadres in Bara set ablaze a bus near Dabur Nepal’s plant, said Jitpur police post personnel. Bara’s headquarters Kalaiya was also shut. A few rickshaws, bicycles, motorcycles, tongas and tempos plied on the Kalaiya-Birgunj road section.

In Sarlahi’s headquarters Malangawa, a few shops were opened. Barahathwa and Ishwarpur bazaars were shut. However, Karmaiya, Lalbandi and Nawalpur bazaars along the East-West highway remained open.

Police escorted long distance passenger buses and private vehicles on the highway. DIG Kiran Gautam at the central region police office (CRPO) said he instructed all units under the CRPO to maintain normal life.