DHANGADHI: Normal life in nine districts in the Far-Western Region was badly hit due to a bandh enforced by Rastriya Janamorcha today. The bandh, called to protest federalism, however, remained peaceful.

Many local businessmen were found to have downed their shutters willingly. “Our country does not need federalism. Talks to that effect are but ploys to fragment the country,” said Hemlal Sapkota, a shopkeeper, here. He said the country did not need to adopt a federal order since a policy of decentralisation had been embraced already.