With shortage of essential commodities, life has been paralised in far western region due to the bandh (shutdown strike) called by separate groups. The locals have faced shortage of essential daily commodities including food items, medicine and have also been deprived of essential service.

Though bandh entered eighth day on Saturday brining the region to a grinding halt, the government has not taken any initiation to soothe the protesting groups.

Backed by leaders of the major political parties from the region, various local organisations, have jointly enforced the bandh to exert pressure on the political parties for undivided far-western region while restructuring the state. Similarly, Tharu groups have also called bandh in Tharu-dominated districts of the far and mid western regions demanding autonomous Tharuban province.

Though Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday called the protesting parties to end bandh saying that the government was attentive to their demands, bandh organisers have shunned his call saying that the government was not serious towards their demands.

Due to the bandh, marketplaces in the major towns in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Surkhet and other districts remain shut while public transportation remains completely halted. Educational institutions have also been closed in the region.

Flights to and from Dhangadhi's Geta airport have been cancelled for the past four days with the protesters locking the main gate of the airport. Nepalnews.com