Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, January 24:

Life in Kaski and Parbat ground to a halt on the second day of the Maoist-called bandh today.

The Maoists had called the bandh to protest the killing of Kaski-Parbat secretary, Bijaya Dhakal alias Biswas, by the security forces.

No passenger buses plied. The educational institutions and commercial centres also remained shut. The RNA Western Division Headquarters, Pokhara, said the security forces were mobilised in the urban areas. The security personnel had even escorted some microbuses in Pokhara. Ambulances, press and security vehicles operated as usual. Tanahun, Lamjung and Gorkha were also affected by the suspension of vehicular traffic to and from Pokhara. Educational institutions and commercial centres in Parbat remained closed. The vehicles also stayed off the road. The bandh called in Parbat also affected Myagdi and Baglung districts. Meanwhile, ANNISU-R has announced a four-day educational strike beginning from January 25 to protest the killing of its leader, Bijay Dhakal alias Biswas.

The strike has led to the suspension of Masters’ level examination to be conducted by Prithvi Narayan Campus on January 26.