Bandh cripples life in Terai

The second day of the three-day bandh (general strike) called by Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), an armed outfit led by Jaya Krishna Goit, has crippled normal life in Terai districts Saturday.

Marketplaces, educational institutions and factories remain closed since Friday morning in 11 Terai districts - Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari, Bara, Parsa, Udaypur, Mahottari, Rautahat and Dhanusha due to the bandh. Vehicular traffic in highways and towns has been affected due to the bandh organised to press the demand of "autonomous Terai province".

Major eastern towns like Biratnagar, Itahari, Inaruwa, Damak, Birgunj and Rajbiraj remain largely closed, according to reports. However, there were no reports of violence during the bandh.

Last night, JTMM activists set fire to the Jagadamba Paperboard Industries in Lahan, Siraha district, causing damage worth Rs 2 million. They had vandalised a tanker heading towards Dhalkebar of Dhanusa district on Thursday evening.

The government has already said it is ready for talks with the JTMM, a breakaway faction of the Maoists, and has urged the outfit to shun violence and abductions. nepalnews.com mk Jan 13 07

Related News
- Terai bandh affects normal life