KATHMANDU, April 7: The nationwide general shutdown called by the 33 political parties including the CPN-Maoist has affected normal life all across the country, on Sunday.
Transportation has come to a halt, whereas academic institutions, businesses and marketplaces have remained closed in the capital since early this morning due to the strike. [break]
Banda enforcers have assembled in small groups at major thoroughfares of the Kathmandu valley. Today’s banda has been called in protest of the chief justice-led current government. They have demanded, among other things, the formation of government under political leadership.
Suspicious objects spotted in capital
The RSS, quoting the Nepal Army Public Relations Directorate, said suspicious objects were spotted in Dhobikhola, Chabahil and Sukedhara early today. It said the NA’s bomb disposal teams have been dispatched to those areas. The report added it is however not known yet whether those objects are bombs.
Bus vandalized
In Banepa, banda enforcers vandalized a public bus (Na 4 Kha 2525), which arrived in the city from Birgunj, carrying passengers and commodities, early this morning, according to our correspondent Madhusudan Guragain. They also attacked a motorcycle (Ba 32 Pa 622) for defying the banda.
Hundreds of passengers have been affected, with no vehicles plying the Araniko Highway and the Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas route. Students appearing for the Bachelor’s level examinations have also been affected by the strike.
Bus attacked, child injured
In Ilam, strikers vandalized a night bus from Kathmandu at Kanyam VDC along the Mechi Highway, our correspondent Bhim Chapagain reported. A child passenger was injured in the mishap. The bus (Na 3 Kha 2569) was en route to Pashupatinagar when banda enforcers attacked the bus, leaving two-year-old Dilip Dhami of Dolakha injured, according to police.
Police said two motorcycles used by the strikers have been taken under control. Transportation has come to a complete halt on the highway since early this morning. Educational institution, industries and marketplaces have remained closed in the district due to today´s banda.
Strikers close campus
In Dang, banda enforcers manhandled some students at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Gorahi, who resorted to retaliation after the strikers tried to force the closure of the campus, our correspondent Devendra Basnet reported.
Security forces have been deployed at the campus considering a possible clash between the two sides. The classes were halted at the campus following the mishap. Transportation, academic institutions, industries, businesses and marketplaces have remained closed in the district. Strikers wielding sticks have descended on the road to ensure a complete shutdown.
Banda effect in Tarai districts
According to RSS, the nationwide strike has crippled life in Makawanpur district and there are no vehicles operating from Hetauda to Kathmandu since 5:00 this morning.
In Birgjunj, strikers have halted the operation of all long route vehicles to and from the southern border city. The strike has halted the operation of long route vehicles to and from Birgunj. However, short route vehicles such as rickshaws and carts are seen operating without interruption.
Similarly, the strike has paralyzed normal life in Siraha, Jhapa, Panchthar, Taplejung, and Kanchanpur as well.
Govt offices shut
In Siraha, strikers have shut even government offices during today’s banda. Our corresponded Mithilesh Yadav, reported that all government offices, including the transport management office, Nepal Electricity Authority district office, district forest office, land revenues office and irrigation office, among others, have remained shut in Lahan.
Also academic institutions, private banks and financial institutions, shops and marketplaces are closed due to the banda. Apart from ambulances and two-wheelers, no vehicles are running on the East West Highway across the district.
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