PHIDIM: Life was hugely affected from early morning due to the general strike called by Limbuwan Struggle Committee in the eastern hill districts today.

Activists of Limbuwan struggle committee demonstrated demanding Limbuwan state including nine districts — Panchthar, Illam, Taplejung, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Sankhubhasabha, Dhankuta, Terhathum in the autonomous state. All market places, educational institutions, transportat, among others, remained completely closed due to the agitation. Short and long route vehicles did not ply on the road today. The agitators did not even allow motorbikes on the road in Panchthar.

Though life was completely affected no untoward incident was reported in the district, informed District Police Office, Panchthar.

Meanwhile, a large number of school students took to the streets today against the closure of schools in the name of different political parties and ethnic communities.

The students of Phidim Higher Secondary School and Kanchanjunga Academy paraded around the bazaar area and picketed the district education office urging the concerned authority to create conducive environment to effectively conduct teaching- learning in the schools.

The agitating students, who were in school uniforms, shouted slogans demanding that the schools be kept open always to ensure the children’s rights to education. They also demanded that action be taken against politically motivated teachers.

The agitating students submitted a memorandum at district administration office and district education office on Wednesday. Schools were declared peace zone last year, but the parties are going against their words by forcing schools to shut, this has caused uncertainty loom over our future they said.