The impact of the first day of the five-day Nepal bandh called by the outlawed Maoist rebels across the country has been mixed.

In Tanahun, the bandh did not affect the lives as the shops were open. The normal life was going on as usual and no unfortunate incidents occurred in the district on Tuesday.

In Chitwan the normal life has been adversely affected. The Maoists even compelled Kathmandu-bound ambulances carrying two serious cases of accident and pregnancy to return.

The rebels burnt four vehicles near Mauwakhola, bordering Chitwan and Dhading districts and set ablaze a pickup van of Nepal Telecommunication Corporation at Rampur, 10 kilometers west from district headquarters. The van was carrying communication equipment, authorities have estimated the loss to be worth three million rupees.

The insurgents also set ablaze three VDC offices – Chandivanjyang, Chainpur and Padampur of Chitwan district.

The effect of bandh in Janakpur was also mixed and no attacks happened in the district. While some shops remained open in the main market area, the industrial area was largely open. The rickshaws, motorcycles and cycles were plying normally but big vehicles stayed out of the road.

In Nuwakot district, the impact of bandh was mixed as people stayed home and the vehicles did not operate. However, no incidents occurred in the district today.

Similarly, RSS rerports the bandh did not evoke any response at Simikot of Humla, the district headquarters.

Shopkeepers of Mahendranagar opened their shops during the so-called Nepal bandh today and conducted business as usual. Likewise, educational institutions also remained open and classes were held. However, the transport service was disrupted. Security personnel had encouraged the shopkeepers to open their shops.

The so-called Nepal bandh did not evoke any response in Dhangadi. Long distance buses and trucks kept off the roads but rickshaws, bicycles and motorbikes ran unhindered.

Business was transacted as usual. Regular classes were held at most of the educational institutions and the proficiency certificate level and graduate level examinations at Kailali Multi-Purpose Campus were conducted smoothly. Meanwhile, an all-party peace march was taken out today against violence, terror and the so-called Nepal bandh.

The peace march that commenced from the district administration office passed through the main thoroughfares of the municipality.

Protest rallies in Itahari against the Nepal bandh were held in Duhabi, Itahari and Inaruwa areas today with the participation of various political parties, the business commuity and the police and administration.

Despite the Moaist bandh the examinations at the campus concluded without hinderence.

Shops in the main commercial Syangja area, educational institutions and industries remained closed. People visiting the district headquarters in connection with their work were minimum in number.

Patients were carried to the hospital manually and by bicycle. The ambulance was also pressed into service to take patients from distant places.

A child from Charikot who was being taken to Kathmandu in an ambulance for medical treatment was taken back after the Maoists set a barrier at the Lamosangu-Jiri road. Later, the child was airlifted to the capital in an army helicopter.

Arrangement has been made for the treatment of the child, Bikas Chapagai, at the Birendra Military Hospital.

In Parbat, vehicles numbering 300 including buses, trucks, vans, jeeps and motorbikes enthusiastically took out a rally at the Parbat portion of the Pokhara-Baglung highway with the participation of representatives of all the political parties, businessmen, transport operators, teachers, employees and the public at large.

After an all-party peace rally went around the municipality, some of the shops opened while short distance vehicles were also seen along the roads in Rajbiraj.

Similarly, in Siraha, the bazaar opened due to the request by the all-party gathering including the police administration but other bazaars in the district were not opened.

The Ilaka Police Lahan arrested and is undertaking investigation into six suspects staying at the Bhagawati lodge.

In Pokhara, the bandh did not have any impact.