Dhankuta, January 11

Locals in Dhankuta today called a general strike in the district again demanding that it be the declared the capital of Province 1.

The district dwellers have been protesting for the past four weeks with this demand. They called off the general strike last Monday and decided to launch a peaceful pressure programme. However, today, they called a closure of the district saying that the government has been preparing to announce temporary capital of the province. The protesters said they have again called the district closure to pressure the government to make Dhankuta the capital of Province 1.

Following the agitation in the district, transportation along the Koshi Highway was also shut. All the bazaars including the district headquarters, education institutions and factories were closed. Protest Movement Mobilisation Committee Coordinator Sundar Babu Shrestha said they did not obstruct ambulances, vehicles used to carry milk and vegetables. Passengers could not reach their destination and were stranded after bandh enforcers obstructed vehicular movement along the Koshi Highway road section. Locals in Tehrathum, Shankuwashabha and Bhojpur said they had run out of materials needed for daily use due to the frequent closure.

Meanwhile, people, on behalf of Dhankuta residets took a round of the city to pressure the government.

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