Bandh hits common man in Far-West

SHIVARAJ BHATTA

DHANGADHI: Jange Bhule, whose father passed away three days ago, has been stranded in a hotel in Dhangadi due to the incessant bandh in the Far-West region.

Bhule, who has been mourning his father’s death, lamented, “I could not attend my father’s funeral. Moreover, I did not get sit for mourning as per the Hindu culture.” He has been spending days and nights hoping for resumption of vehicles. He said he must reach home for his father’s mourning as he is only the son of his

parents.

Bhule, a resident of Ghughurkot Accham, has not taken any food for the past three days as mourning son should not eat food cooked by others as per his tradition. He said, “The government should do something, so that I can go home to attend me the ‘days of mourning’.”

Similarly, a family of Amar Budha of Dhakari VDC of Accham district has also been stranded at Dhangadi Bus Park for the past six days.

Amar’s nephew Nar Bahadur, who has been serving in the Indian army, said, “I came to Nepal for the first time to see my ancestral village, but have been stranded here for days,” adding, “I will never come to Nepal again.” He also lamented that he is running out of money.

Meanwhile, there is shortage of medicines in Kailali and Kanchhanpur district. Janakraj Joshi, director, Dinesh Pharmacy, informed that there is scarcity of medicine in Dhangadi adding, “Saline and medicines of typhoid and diarrhea have been exhausted in the area.” He informed that he has not been able to supply the medicines to the region due to bandh.

Likewise, the price of essentials has been hiked in the region due to the continuous bandh. Rice which used to cost Rs 30 per kg

now costs Rs 35 now in Bajura, Bajghang and Accham district.

Price of vegetables has also spiraled in the Tarai region. According to local gas supplier Sanjaya Dhal, gas dealers have been running out of cooking gas.

Life in Kailai and Kanchhanpur has been also adversely affected due to bandh. Even motorcycles did not ply in Mahendranagar and in adjoining areas due to the huge presence of bandh enforces in many parts the region.

Bandh enforcers demonstrated the whole day demanding undivided Far-West since early morning. Market places, industries, education institutions, banks, financial institutions remain closed as well.

Meanwhile the condition of Hembabu Lekhak, central spokesperson of the Far-West Awareness Forum, who is on relay fasting has deteriorated. He was admitted to the Mahakali Zonal Hospital.

Similarly locals in Martadi, district headquarters Bajura, torched the effigy of 22 CA members for speaking against the undivided Far-West region.