(Updated with details from Nepalgunj 1532 NST, 0947 GMT)
JANAKPUR/BIRGUNJ/NEPALGUNJ, Feb 27: The banda (general strike) called by Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) demanding implementation of 8-point agreement reached last year has affected normal life in eastern Tarai districts since early Friday morning. [break]
TMDP cadres who are out on the streets in the districts have brought vehicular movement to a halt. They have burnt tires at various road intersections to prevent any vehicles from plying.
Birgunj (Parsa), Kalaiya (Bara) and Gaur (Rautahat) have been shut down by the TMDP cadres. Most schools and markets in the three districts -- Parsa, Bara and Rautahat -- remain closed due to the banda.
Wedding-related shopping and other activities in Janakpur have been affected. The Nepali month of Falgun (February-March) is a wedding month and banda has impacted marriage-related shopping. Rajesh Srivastav, a local here, complained that he has not been able to shop for wedding.
"There is marriage ceremony in my family today but I am unable to buy anything due to the banda," he said.
Even Janakpur railway is not operational.
In Nepalgunj, commuters have been stranded at several places due to the strike. No long-route vehicle has left from Nepalgunj while very few vehicles for local routes could be seen in the street. Offices, educational institutions, shops and other businesses have remained closed in the main administrative and commercial town in the mid-western region.
The TMDP called the one-day strike to force the government to implement agreement it reached with the then Madhesi parties´ alliance – United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) – on Falgun 16 (February 28) last year. This agreement paved the way for the Aril 10 Constituent Assembly elections that was uncertain due to massive protest launched by Madhesi parties demanding their rights and increased representation.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, TMDP had said the party had to announce protests as the government did not implement the eight-point agreement reached last year.
TMDP has accused the government of not fulfilled its promises made last year. TMDP, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum and Sadbhavana Party under the banner of UDMF had signed the 8-point agreement with the then unity government headed by Girija Prasad Koirala.
The agreement, among others, accepted Madhesi people´s call for autonomous Madhes, declared martyrs those people killed during Madhes movement and agreed to make appointments in state organs inclusive.