Biratnagar, February 26:

Normal life in the Mechi and Koshi zones was affected by the one-day Mechi-Koshi bandh called by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) today.

Some 61 organisations affiliated to NEFIN called the bandh with a 13-point charter of demands, including proportional electoral system, right to self-determination and ethic autonomy.

No untoward incident was reported during the bandh, the eastern regional police office (Biratnagar) said.

Four districts — Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam and Jhapa — fall in the Mechi zone, while six districts — Morang, Sunsari, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Terhathum and Dhankuta — fall in the Koshi zone. Markets, educational institutions and industries in Mechi-Koshi regions were closed. No vehicle plied on either long or short routes.

No vehicle plied on either long or short routes. Traffic came to a halt on Mechi Highway.

The agitators seized two motorbikes and a tractor.

Meanwhile, the NEFIN district coordination council (Ilam) staged a rally in Ilam bazaar today. The demonstrators later held a street corner assembly in Ilam bazaar.