An agitating group opposing the construction of a cable car in Pathivara, Taplejung, has called for a two-day bandh in nine districts east of the Arun River today.
The agitating group, which has been blocking the Mechi Highway and Tamor Corridor, has enforced a bandh in nine districts east of the Arun River on February 2 and 3.
The bandh has affected normal life in the hilly districts of Koshi Province today. However, the bandh has not had much impact on the Terai districts.
A large number of protesters have gathered in the Dharan Bus Park area of Sunsari. Dharan is the main gateway to Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha. Passengers traveling for essential work have been stranded due to the bandh called by the agitating group.
The agitating party says that the transport was stopped in protest of the blatant firing opened by security personnel on Mukumlung cultural activists on the evening of January 25.
The pro-identity activists, who have called for an indefinite shutdown in Taplejung border since January 28, have called for a two-day shutdown in nine districts east of the Arun River starting today.
They have also warned of an indefinite general strike if their demands are not addressed even after the two-day shutdown.
The protesting group has called for a shutdown in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Tehrathum and Sankhuwasabha. While the shutdown has had an impact in the hilly districts, Terai districts have witnessed partial impacts, the police said.
Vehicles operating from Dharan to Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum and Bhojpur have stayed off the road. The Provincial Police Office, Biratnagar, has stated that non-essential public transport has not been able to ply on the Tamor Corridor and Mechi Highway.
The Mukumlung Conservation Joint Struggle Committee in a statement, has demanded that the injured be provided with lifelong livelihood, a high-level judicial investigation committee be formed into the incident, and strict action be taken against the culprits.
They have also demanded free treatment for the injured, the release of those arrested, the withdrawal of the armed forces and Nepal Police from Kafle Pati, and an immediate halt to the construction of the cable car.
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