Bandh called off after 5 pm; normal life affected in Valley throughout the day

The bandh (shutdown strike) called by Samyukta Ganatantrik Dalit Mukti Morcha and the Maoist-affiliated Tamang Rastriya Mukti Morcha in Bagmati Zone has been withdrawn from 5:00 pm.

The daylong bandh affected the normal life in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning, Wednesday, as main marketplaces remained closed while very few vehicles could be seen plying on the roads.

Schools and colleges were also closed due to the bandh called for fulfillment of demands for proportional representation based election system, restructuring of state to ensure special rights to Dalits and Janajatis.

Bandh organisers burnt tires and obstructed vehicular traffic in major areas like Gongabu, Kalanki, Koteshwore, Chabahil, Ratnapark etc.

Police arrested 21 activists of the two organisations for trying to forcefully impose bandh in different parts of the city. However, there was no major incidence of violence during the bandh. nepalnews.com mk/sd Aug 22 07