Indefinite ring to Tharus’ strike

Dhangadi, March 4:

The Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee has extended its ongoing bandh for an indefinite period from today.

The earlier three-day general strike ended today. Issuing a press release, central chairman of the committee Laxman Tharu informed that they extended the bandh for an indefinite period.

The bandh was called to protest the government decision to enlist Tharus as Madhesis. The Tharu organisations have also been demanding proportional representation of Tharus in all state organs, release of their arrested cadres, and free treatment of their cadres injured

in police action.

Agitators torched two vehicles in Kailali and vandalised several government offices. They also demonstrated in Dhangadhi.

The agitators also vandalised a vehicle carrying CA members in Siraha for defying their bandh. However, all the CA members in the vehicle are safe, the police said. Police rescued them and took to Lahan. Police had to open blank fires to disperse the mob. Police constable Bijaya Yadhav sustained injury in the scuffle.

Arms-wielding protesters demonstrated n Dhangadhi, Asanpur and Golbazaar of Siraha. Industries and businesses remained closed in those places. The agitators vandalised a shop in Dhangadhi. The police detained four agitators. They had also manhandled two staffers of NEA in Lahan. All government and non-governmental offices, industries and educational institutions remained closed in Lahan.

Similarly, vehicles remained off the road, industries and schools remained closed and

agitators blocked the highway in Rautahat.

No vehicle plied on Pathlaiya-Birgunj stretch of the highway. The agitators clashed with police at Jitpur of Bara. Police fired two rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

Normal life in Banke, Bardiya and Dang was also affected due to the bandh. Agitators padlocked the District Post Office and office of Ghorahi Municipality in Dang.

Tharu activists vandalised 12 vehicles in Jhumka, Pakali and Khanar in Sunsari. Situation in Duhabi and Pakali returned to normalcy after talks initiated by the local administration.