Biratnagar, April 4:

The local administration in Biratnagar, in a notice today, urged civilians not to take part in the general strike and protest programmes announced by the seven-party alliance, cautioning that the administration would not be responsible for any untoward incident that might take place during the protests.

“Security forces may have to act to check the Maoists’ infiltration in the protest programmes slated for April 6 to 9,” it said. Chief District Officer (CDO) of Morang, Narendra Dahal, said the parties’ agitation programme will be thwarted at any cost.

The local administration has tightened security in the district and has made arrangements to control such prohibited activities.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Morang, Jagat Bista, said the local administration “will be monitoring the parties’ programmes”. The security forces have been mobilised in places like hotels, lodges, inns and hostels where the Maoists could be hiding. The local administration held a meeting with representatives of concerned sectors in Biratnagar today. The representatives agreed to operate their businesses, industries and public transport services during the general strike, CDO Dahal said.

A report from Rupandehi said the local administration today took 20 vehicles under control from different parts of Butwal, including Rajmarga Chauraha and Pushpa Lal Park, for operating them during the four-day strike called by the parties, president of the Western Nepal Bus Entrepreneurs’ Association, Tulsi Ram Banjade, said.

Meanwhile, the local administration in Birgunj has urged people to refrain from participating in the seven parties’ strike. CDO Navin Kumar Ghimire, in a statement today, said the security forces may take any action as there was a possibility of Maoists’ infiltration in the programmes.