Ilam, March 22:

The indefinite bandh called by Limbuwan students affiliated to Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch paralysed normal life in the nine districts of the eastern development region for the second day today.

The agitators called the bandh demanding Manil Tamang to be declared a martyr. He was killed in police firing during the Free Students Union’s election in Dhulabari Multiple Campus in Jhapa district three days ago.

The bandh affected normal life in Dhankuta, Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Terhathum and Sankhuwasabha.

Educational institutions remained close in all the nine districts while markets and shops were shut in Jhapa, Panchthar, Ilam and Sunsari. The agitators obstructed vehicular movement in Birtamod, Damak and Dhulabari in Jhapa district not even allowing two wheelers to ply on the roads. The series of bandhs have badly affected the normal lives of the locals in Mechi zone. Mechi locals who were badly hit by the two weeks of bandh called by the Tharu community are now suffering from the bandh called by the different groups affiliated to SLRM.

People in hilly districts of the zone are facing problems due to the lack of petroleum products and cooking gas. Consumers are also complaining of soaring prices of vegetables and essentials in the markets due to the continuous bandhs and strikes.