CPN-M bandh hits life nationwide; press vehicles vandalized, TU exams take place as per schedule

Normal life in Kathmandu Valley and across many parts of the country has been paralysed due to the day-long bandh (shutdown strike) called by CPN-Maoist against the decision of four major political parties to form an 11-member election government of ‘techocrats’ headed by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

CPN-Maoist supporters enforcing bandh (general strike) at Naya Baneshwor, Kathmandu,...

The streets and main market centers of capital Kathmandu wears an almost deserted look since early morning with most of the shops and businesses closed and vehicles (both public and private) staying off the road fearing attacks by bandh organisers.

With no public or private vehicles allowed to ply on the road, office-goers as well as general public have no other option but to walk to reach their respective destinations. Few who dared to take out their motorbikes were met with angry mobs out to enforce the bandh by gathering at major thoroughfares and cross-roads of Kathmandu.

Likewise, long-route vans and buses could not enter or leave Kathmandu due to the bandh, because of which it is likely that many people trying to enter Kathmandu on buses and other vehicles would be stranded at the main entrypoint in Thankot.

Similarly, educational institutions like schools and colleges are closed but the Tribhuvan University’s Office of the Examination Controller has said that the bandh would not disrupt ongoing bachelor third year exams. Reports said that exams have started as per the schedule in colleges across the country.

Reports coming in also say that normal life has been paralysed in many adjoining districts of Kathmandu and many other parts of the country.

As feared, the bandh organisers turned violent in some parts of the city and vandalized the press/media vehicles of Sagarmath Television and Kantipur Television out to cover the effects of the day-long strike. The attacks were against party’s assurance that press vehicles would be allowed to move around the city to cover news without any kind of obstruction. Valley Traffic Police said the protestors also vandalised few private and public vehicles that had dared to defy the bandh this morning.

Meanwhile, the top leadership of CPN-Maoist has requested its activist not to engage in vandalism of public or private property and exercise maximum restraint.

Reports from Arghakachi said that the bandh organisers have taken three jeeps and five motorcycles under control, but have not vandalised or set them on fire.

Vehicles belonging to the diplomatic corps, United Nations, emergency services like ambulances, vans/trucks carrying dairy, drinking water have been allowed to ply without any kinds of hindrance or hostility as per the assurance the CPN-Maoist gave prior to organising the bandh.

The CPN-M leaders and activists said that the day-long bandh against decision to form CJ-led election government and arrest of its activists in Dailekh by resurrecting conflict-era case will be lifted at 5 pm.

CPN-M, a splinter of the ruling UCPN-M, including four other small left parties has been organising protests and mass demonstration in the capital since Sunday afternoon against the agreement to form election government headed by the incumbent CJ.

They argue that appointing the Chief Justice as the head of the election government would be in stark violation of the interim constitution, the concept of multi-party contention and national sovereignty and have vowed to boycott the Constituent Assembly poll on June 5. nepalnews.com