KATHMANDU, May 17: The first day of the indefinite banda (general shutdown) called by various ethnic groups remained peaceful except some minor incidents in the capital.
The banda was postponed from 5:00pm.[break]
The banda called by the Joint Struggle Committee for National Integrity and Ethnic Harmony affected normal life in the capital city. Very few vehicles could be seen on roads due to the banda. As a result, people had to walk on foot to reach destinations despite scorching heat.
The police held 11 persons for they tried to pelt stones on vehicles and block roads in course of banda in Kathmandu.
The police took under control Mahendra Bahadur Tamang from Samakhusi while three others from Putalisadak, two from Machhapokhari, three from Chuchepati and one each from Koteshwor, Gongabu and Samakhusi for they involved in vandalism.
Meanwhile, the banda enforcers vandalized a bus (Na 4 Kha 4355) at Bafal, the police said.
Vice-Chairman of the Chhetri Society, Yogendra Karki said the banda called from 6:00 am was continued only till 5:00pm, considering inconvenience to the people. He, however, warned of continuing banda till the government heeded their demands.
Demanding not to federalize the country on ethnic identity, and delist the Brahmin and Chhetri communities from ´others´ in new constitution, various 14 groups including the Brahmin Society Nepal, Chhetri Society Nepal, Thakuri Society National Federation, Dalit Society Service Association, Federation of Other Backward Class have called the indefinite banda throughout the country from Thursday.
Banda hits life in capital
(REPUBLICA)
KATHMANDU: Transportation has suddenly been thrown out of gear in the capital late Thursday morning due to a banda called by the Joint Struggle Committee of various caste-groups.
The committee, comprised of Brahman Samaj, Chhetri Samaj, Thakuri Samaj, Dashnami Samaj, Dalit Janajagaran Sewa Sangh, Bibedh Mukti Pragatishil Samaj, Khas Chhetri Ekata Samaj and Federation of Marginalised Group, has called the banda as part of their ongoing protest against federalism based on ethnicity. [break]
They have demanded recognition of their identity in the new constitution and insisted that federalism based on ethnicity should not be adopted as dong so would lead the country to disintegration.
Academic institutions, shops and marketplaces have been affected by an abrupt shutdown that began from around 8 am in the morning. Banda enforcers have descended on the road to create traffic obstruction.
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