Limbuwan bandh hits eastern regions

Himalayan News Service

ITAHARI: One-day bandh called by Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad, asking the government to ensure federalism with the right to self-determination and implement past agreements, affected normal life in the eastern districts today.

The bandh hit daily activities in some hilly and Tarai districts, including Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta and Udayapur, where transportation came to a grinding halt though markets in some districts remained open.

In Itahari, markets, transport services, industries and educational institutions were shut. The protesters, who were seen on the highway since morning, vandalised a passenger bus in Jhumka, police said.

SLRP cadres had prevented long and short routes vehicles from ply on the roads, leaving the passengers of long route buses stranded in Itahari bus stand.

The bandh had its impact in areas of Sunsari, including Inaruwa, Duhabi, Khanar and Dharan.

The bandh also threw life out of gear in Morang. It had partial effect in Biratnagar, where the Tharuhat Struggle Committee, had supported the bandh. Parts of Morang, including Biratchowk, Belbari, Laxmimarg, Pathari and Urlabari were also hit.

In Jhapa, the bandh had a visible impact in Damak, Birtamod, Kerkha, Dhulabari and Surunga. No vehicle plied on the East-West and the Mechi highways.

Life in Udayapur and Bhojpur districts, where Khumbuwan organisations had supported the bandh, was also hit.

The police claimed that no untoward incident occurred during the bandh.

The Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee, the Dalit Janatantrik Morcha, the Kirant Janabadi Workers Party (Nabin Kiranti group) and the Pallo Kirant Rastriya Manch had thrown their weight behind SLRP for the success of the bandh.