Sarlahi, March 14:

General strike called by the Sanjuhang Palungwa affiliated to the Federal Limbuwan State Council (FLSC) today affected the election activities in Jhapa district.

The bandh affected the inauguration of Maoists’ regional office at the constituency no 6, the party office said.

Participants reached the mass meeting venue at Gauradaha on bicycles because public transportation remained off the road, Maoist Jhapa district secretary Sandesh said.

We had to ferry election candidates and rally participants in a vehicle and those who could not be adjusted came on bicycle, he added.

The CPN-UML also suspended today’s programme at Sanischere, party secretary Devendra Dahal said.

Meanwhile, the two-day eastern region bandh called by the FLSC demanding Limbuwan state with autonomy and right to self-determination before the constituent assembly election partially affected life in Panchthar, Taplejung, Tehrathum and Ilam districts today.

Factories, business and markets at Ranke, Rabi, Yashok, Gopetar and Jorsal remained shut in Panchthar district.

The Federal Democratic National Front affiliated with the Federal Limbuwan State Council had agreed to join the constituent assembly polls after the Republican National Front reached an agreement with the government but the Palungwa faction of the FLSC has continued to maintain that the talks should be held directly with Limbu leaders to address the demands.