While commuters and patients heading to the hospital, among others, were walking several kilometers due to the strike, a bus could be seen moving freely in the town, that too not for any emergency purpose.
A group of pro-Maoist lawyers were using the bus on an election campaign. The lawyers traveled all the way from the far-western town of Mahendranagar to Nepalgunj during the strike to campaign for the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) election that is taking place on January 9. They launched the campaign in Mahendranagar on the first day of the strike Sunday and took part in campaigning in Nepalgunj Monday without any obstruction by the Maoists.
The lawyers who hired the bus placed a banner reading "Nepal Bar Association Human Rights Observers". But they were busy electioneering at the district bar association office throughout the day.
One of the lawyers taking part in the campaigning said they could move freely during the strike as they had passes provided by the Maoists.
The Maoists stopped them at many places while traveling from Mahendranagar to Nepalgunj but they arrived safely at their destination thanks to the passes. Maoists in Banke district also provided them with passes.
"The Maoist intention has become clear as the protestors, who prohibit even patients from going to hospital, allow free movement for lawyers out election electioneering," said a non-Maoist lawyer.
A team of 17 lawyers led by Ram Nath Mainali, who has announced his candidacy for NBA president, held interactions with lawyers in Nepalgunj. The team also reached Bardiya district. They plan to visit Dang and other districts Tuesday.
IP Kharel, Maoist district deputy in-charge, said they provided the passes as the lawyers used the ´human rights observers´ banner.
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