Dhangadi, February 7:

Two-day bandh called by Tharu Kalyankari Sabha to protest One Madhes One Pradesh of the Madhesi parties affected normal life in several districts on the first day today.

The agitators torched two motorbikes and vandalised more than five vehicles in Kailali. They also seized more than 10 vehicles for defying the bandh. The bandh has the support of Tharu Student Society, Tharu Adhikar Khoj Abhiyan and Tharuhat Swaeta Rajya.

Speaking at a corner meeting, chairman of the Tharu Kalyankari Sabha Bhanu Bhakta Chaudhari and the president of Tharu Student Society Madhav Chaudhari lambasted the government for terming the Tharus a Madhesi group.

Saying that all the people residing in the Tarai are not Madhesi, they warned that

they were ready to go to any extent if the government did correct its move.

According to our Itahari correspondent, the bandh hit normal life in Itahari, Khanar, Dhuhabi, Jhumka and Inaruwa. Industries, educational institutions and the markets remained closed in the area. The agitators vandalised the Rita Hair dressing salon for defying bandh. The protesters stopped motorbikes ply the main road.

They organised a corner meeting in Itahari and threatened to take up arms if the government did not recognise Tharus as a separate group.

According to Bara correspondent, Tharu youths lit tyre pyres and demonstrated in Jitpur and Chhatapipra areas of the district since morning. They obstructed traffic on the Birjung-Pathalya stretch.

The bandh also affected normal life in Jhapa district.

Markets were shut and the vehicles remained off the road since morning.

According to our Gaighat correspondent, though industries and shops remained open and vehicles plied in the business townships of the district, protesters vandalised at least five motorbikes in Triuga Municipality for defying the bandh. They also hurled stones at a jeep of Udaypur Cement Factory.

Issuing a press release, Tharu Kalyankari Sabha has urged to shut all educational institutions and government offices on Sunday as well.