Biratnagar, October 13:

The impact on the first day of the 48-hour bandh called by the Janatantrik Terai Mukti

Morcha (JTMM) in five districts of the Terai was felt more in Saptari and Siraha. In Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa the bandh had a partial impact.

The JTMM led by Jwala Singh, had in a statement issued a bandh-call a week ago, to protest the “terror unleashed by the Nepali Army and Maoists.

Except medicine shops, all shops were closed in Saptari and Siraha. No long or short route vehicles plied from Rajbiraj. Private and government schools were shut, said teachers. Bazaars in Kalyanpur, Pato, Barsain, Kajaina remained closed, said locals. No untoward incident occurred today, said the District Police Office (Saptari).

The effect of bandh was also seen in Gaighat. Vehicles in Katari and Beltar did not ply. However, shops were open.

Long route vehicles did not ply, Indra Bahadur Karki of the Koshi Bus Entrepreneurs’ Association said, adding that a few buses plied on the Biratnagar-Dharan route. A report from Sunsari said industries were open there.

A report from Jhapa said only a few vehicles ventured out on the roads. Most shops in markets of Jhapa district were open.