Bandh hits normal life in five Terai districts

Normal life in some eastern Terai districts was badly affected due to the bandh (general strike) called by the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) on Saturday.

Marketplaces and industries remained closed while transportation was out of gear on the last day of the 24-hour bandh called in five districts – Saptari, Siraha, Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa. The effect of the bandh was felt more in Saptari and Siraha where the armed outfit has been active in the past few months.

The bandh disrupted the national campaign to administer polio drops to children under 5 years. Government officials said the programme could not be conducted in these districts, as transport service remained disrupted.

Issuing a press statement, the JTMM had called the bandh on Friday to protest against the activities of the army and the Maoists. The JTMM led by Jwala claimed that the Maoists and the Nepali Army have been terrorizing the people in these districts.

The JTMM, which had split from the Maoists two years ago, has been involved in arbitrary killings, abduction and extortion in eastern Terai, particularly after the Maoist ceasefire early this year. nepalnews.com mk Oct 14 06

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