The political parties informed a joint press meet on Tuesday that they would start festooning the whole of Dailekh district headquarters with black flags from Wednesday to greet the PM. [break]
The parties have also announced a two-day district bandh after learning that the PM and other UCPN (Maoist) leaders including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha were to visit Dailekh for the Maoists´ district convention.
The protesting political parties further informed that each and every house would put out black flags. They have announced a Dailekh-wide bandh from 2 PM, Tuesday to 4 PM, Wednesday.
The opposition parties said vehicular moment would be halted and shops and markets closed during the bandh.
Youth activists of the six opposition parties have completely blocked off the Dailekh-Surkhet section of Karnali Highway, with trees felled at different places.
According to Nepali Congress District President Krishna Kumar BC, they are preparing for a joint demonstration and rally. BC warned of retaliation against anyone opposing the agitations against the prime minister, saying that the latter had been holding the country hostage to indecision and making a mockery of the rule of law.
The district-level leaders and activists of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Rastriya Janamorcha, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Rastriya Janashakti Party and CPN-ML have been jointly organizing protests against the government.
The agitating parties also held a torch rally at district headquarters on Tuesday evening.
Similarly, journalists in the district have decided to wear black masks as they go about collecting news, as a symbolic protest against the prime minister obstructing the investigation of journalist Thapa´s murder.
However, UCPN (Maoist) leader Chaabi Subedi accused the opposition parties of creating a situation of confrontation by announcing a stir against the Maoists´ pre-scheduled program.
“Our activists scheduled to participate in the district convention are unable to arrive due to the bandh announced by the opposition,” Subedi said. He further accused the parties of lacking political honesty.
The political parties also organized a rally at district headquarters on Tuesday to announce no entry for the PM in the district.
Meanwhile, the possibility of confrontation has increased as both the opposition political parties and the UCPN (Maoist) are schedule to organize rallies simultaneously the same day, Wednesday. Opposition parties will hold a mass gathering at local Tundikhel located in the middle of district headquarters while the Maoists are holding their own mass gathering at Kadachur situated toward the edge of district HQ.
“Our demonstrations are against the government and they will be peaceful. If anyone tries suppression, the outcome will be different,” warned Maya Ram Adhikari, district chairman of Rastriya Janamorcha. The opposition parties have turned down a Maoist request for their participation in the district convention.
The district administration has beefed up security around district headquarters in view of the possibility of conformation.
According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Umesh Kumar Dhakal, security reinforcement has been sought from Surkhet.
The presence of security personnel has been increased to curb any untoward incident. Altogether 150 police personnel and 110 armed police have already arrived from Surkhet.
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