Maoist bandh hits normal life in Morang, Sunsari

First day of a two-day bandh (general strike) called by the Maoists in Morang and Sunsari districts affected normal life Saturday, bringing public transport to a halt in many parts.

Except for three major urban centers, Biratnagar, Dharan and Inaruwa, all other towns in the two districts remained closed throughout the day while roads and highways wore a deserted look. Urlabari, Pathari, Rangeli, Belbari, Madhumalla and Itahara of Morang were completely shut, according to locals.

Transporters said very few buses left Biratnagar for other districts. Even as the bandh was supposed to be effective in Morang and Sunari, other eastern districts like Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Jhapa, Ilam, Paanchthar and Udaypur districts were also affected due to transport blockade in the said two districts.

There were no reports of violent activities during the bandh, security sources said.

The Maoists had announced bandh in highways, district headquarters and other urban parts of the two districts in protest of the killing of six local Maoist leaders at the hands of security forces a few days earlier. nepalnews.com mbk July 17 05