Phidim, September 23

Limbuwan Struggle Committee has withdrawn its indefinite bandh imposed in nine eastern districts from today following an agreement with the three major political parties in Jhapa.

According to Limbuwan Party central secretariat member Surendra Prakash Jabegu, the decision to lift the strike was taken after the three political parties pledged to take initiative to release Limbuwan party cadres detained during the ongoing agitation.

“Besides, as they agreed to take moral responsibility for the vandalism of our office in Damak a few days ago, initiatives to secure reparation for the vandalism and not enforce any sort of bandh in the future, we decided to relent,” Jabegu said.

It is important to note that life was already returning to normalcy in the eastern hills well before the withdrawal of the bandh today.

The local business fraternity had taken out rallies in Phidim bazaar, Ilam, yesterday evening and today morning to protest the bandh. A deal was also struck between local entrepreneurs and bandh enforcers to water down the bandh by allowing resumption of businesses today.

According to Panchthar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairperson Mitra Prasad Kafle, the deal was sealed with an agreement that bandh enforcers wouldn’t force the shutdown of businesses that wish to operate.

Similarly, Taplejung district headquarters Phungling bazaar also resumed from today morning. The agitators yielded to mounting pressure to dilute the bandh in view of the upcoming festive season. The closure of schools and disruption of vehicular movement for long had also caused a lot of hardship.

Elsewhere, Terhathum district headquarters Myanglung bazaar also opened from today morning. According to local Prakash Dhauladhoki, the bazaar was partially open yesterday, while it resumed full operation from today.