Rajbiraj, March 19

United Democratic Madhesi Front cadres padlocked the offices of 17 local levels in Saptari today.

UDMF activists padlocked the offices of all municipalities and rural municipalities immediately after the offices opened. The padlock has hit regular work and preparation for civic polls.

The offices of Kanchanrup, Daknesawari, Bodewarsain, Khadak, Shambhunath, Surunga, and Hanumannagar municipalities have been padlocked. The offices of Krishnasawaran, Chhinamasta, Mahadeva, Tirhuta, Tilathi, Koiladi, Rupani, Belhi, Chapena and Bishnupur rural municipalities, among others, were also padlocked.

UDMF cadres removed the sign board of District Coordination Committee Saptari and installed a new board with Madhes Pradesh Sarkar written on it.

Similarly, DDC and Rajbiraj Municipality have been padlocked for the past three days.

Local parties, including the CPN-Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress have padlocked the office of Saptakoshi Rural Municipality saying that it was demoted from the status of municipality.

UDMF Saptari Coordinator Dinesh Yadav said they had padlocked the offices of rural municipalities and municipalities saying that the government had failed to meet its demands, including the demand for statute amendment before holding the local level election.