Former Maoist combatants, who were discharged last year from the cantonments after being disqualified in the verification conducted by the then United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), have enforced a daylong strike in nine  districts of far-western Nepal on Thursday.

Normal life in large parts of far-western districts like Kailali, Kanchanpur, Dadelhura, Baitadi, Accham have been paralysed due to the shutdown strike called by former Maoist combatants to protest against the state categorising them as 'disqualified' and 'depriving' them of any benefit.

Educational institutions including shops, business establishments and private offices at the main market centers of the affected districts remain largely closed since early morning today while transportation has come to a grinding halt as both short and long-route vehicles have stayed off the road due to fears of reprisal from protestors demonstrating at major thoroughfares and highways.  However, essential services like ambulances, fire engines including vehicles belonging to diplomatic agencies, international development agencies, the press and rights agencies have been allowed to move without any kind of obstruction.

The former Maoist combatants chanted slogans against the government at towns like Bhimdutta Nagar and Dhangadhi in the far-west, complaining that the state disrespected them by labeling them'disqualified combatants' and depriving them of their rights.

They also demanded nullification of the disqualified combatant tag given to them and  compensation package comparable to those who have chosen voluntary retirement in the recent regrouping of the combatants.

Hundreds of disqualified former combatants had staged demonstration against the UCPN (Maoist) leadership in Nepalgunj earlier this week and also warned of "armed struggle" if their demands were not met.

4008 disqualified combatants were discharged from the cantonment sites. The government had only provided bus fares to them while discharging them. nepalnews.com