NSP-A bandh cripples life in Terai region

Birgunj, December 25:

Life was crippled today in the Terai region due to the Madhesh bandh called by the Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP)-Anandidevi.

The party is demanding a federal state system, demarcation of constituencies according to population and ensuring the rights of Madhesi people in the interim constitution, among others demands.

In Birgunj, NSP activists staged demonstrations at different places.

They also obstructed traffic and burnt tyres at main chowks of Birgunj Bazaar. The activists also smashed the windscreen of a bus belonging to Makalu Yatayat.

Pokhariya, Bhiswa and other bazaars in Parsa district remained closed.

Bara was also affected due to the bandh. No vehicle plied on the Kalaiya-Birgunj road. All business centres were closed in Kalaiya, the Bara district headquarters. Pro-NSP Students damaged furniture in the District Education Office.

Pathlaiya and Nijgarh Bazaar remained open, but no vehicles plied on Mahendra Highway, said the Bara District Police Office.

A report from Rautahat said bandh affected life in the district. Mahendra Highway and Birendra Highway were deserted. All academic institutions, business centres remained closed. The NSP men obstructed traffic, burnt tyres in Gaur, the district headquarters. They also damaged a medical hall near the gate of the District Education Office.

In Saptari district, both private and public vehicles remained off the road while all shops except medical stores and academic institutions were closed.

Main bazaars of the district including in district headquarters Kanchanpur, Fattehpur, Pato, Kathauna, Hanumannagar, Barsain, Topa and Kalyanpur were totally closed. A report from Mahottari said most of the bazaars in the district remained closed.

The bandh crippled life in different areas including Biratnagar, Damak, Itahari, among other places.

In Nepalgunj, demonstrators vandalised four vehicles parked inside houses and a motorbike belonging to Banke vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists. They also obstructed traffic.

A brief clash occurred between the demonstrators and locals, who ignored the bandh. Banke district treasurer of NSP-Anandidevi, Usha Lakher was injured in the fracas, said central member Satyawati Kurmi. Demonstrators tried to vandalise a hotel that was open, said the Banke District Police Office.

They vandalised Shris ti Cinema Hall and some other hotels also. No vehicle plied here. Examination in some schools were also affected.

Press Chautari Banke condemned the vandalism of a journalist’s motorbike. Political parties here also condemned the untoward incidents in Nepalgunj.

Life was crippled in Janakpurdham. Brief clashes occurred at some places. All government and private offices remained closed.

15 hurt in scuffle

NAWALPARASI: Altogether 15 passengers where injured when demonstrators vandalised 21 vehicles on Monday evening at Basa during the Terai bandh called by the Nepal Sadbhawana Party-An-andidevi here on Monday. Meanwhile, protesting the vandalising, transport entrepreneurs disrupted traffic from Monday evening. They said the protest would continue until the culprits are booked. — HNS