Pathlaiya, February 6:

Protesters demanding establishment of Integrated Service Centre in Nijgarh of Bara continued their agitation for the fifth consecutive day today.

Traffic was completely obstructed as protesters erected tents, burnt tyres and placed stones in the middle of the highway. Markets and government offices were also closed due to the bandh.

Pema Lama, member of the struggle committee, said the agitation would continue until their demands were met. “We have planned to stage fast-unto-death if the government did not meet our demands,” Krishna Rai, central member of Chure Bhawar Ekta Samaj said.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded as the vehicles stayed off the roads.

The stranded passengers protested the strike and barred the movement of cargo vehicles today.

Meanwhile, the Nijgarh chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society provided food to over 300 stranded passengers.

A report from Chandranigahpur said the stranded passengers due to similar protests over the service centre were forced to pay high fare to rickshaws and tangas, as no vehicle plied due to the stir and pay double to eat in local hotels.

Strikes were also called in Bardibas in Mahottari and Hariwan of Sarlahi today.