Although the CPN-Maoist cadres forced some vehicles with Indian number plates to return to India, no incident of vandalism was reported in any part of the country. [break]
Similarly, irrespective of the CPN-Maoist´s decision to stop the screening of Hindi movies, cinema halls also ran Hindi movie shows on Thursday in Kathmandu as well as in other cities.
According to Birgunj-based Republica correspondent Ritesh Tripathi, the number of Indian vehicles that entered Nepal through the Birgunj border point was unusually very low on Thursday. Prior to the Maoist diktat, around 100 vehicles with Indian number plates used to enter Birgunj every day. On Thursday, only 30 vehicles with Indian number plates entered Birgunj.
The CPN-Maoist cadres forced over 50 vehicles with Indian number plates, including those that came to Nepal a few days ago, to return to India from Hetauda. After learning about the Maoist diktat, some vehicles returned to India from Birgunj.
"An Indian vehicle (BR 25 P 6296) carrying Pokhara-bound tourists returned within an hour of entering Nepal," said Raju Yadav, a local customs agent. "Others also returned after spending a few hours in Nepal."
According to Nepalgunj-based Republica correspondent Rudra Khadka, around a dozen Indian vehicles were stopped by the CPN-Maoist cadres at Rupaidiya border point.
In Biratnagar, according to Republica correspondent Ajit Tiwari, the police were on alert. "We were watchful," Morang police DSP Uma Prasad Chaturbedi said. "But, no Indian vehicle was barred in Biratnagar."
Cinema halls operating in the capital screened Hindi movies as usual though CPN-Maoist announced a ban effective from Thursday.
Bharat Singh, manager of Big Cinema at City Center shopping complex, said the cinema hall ran the Hindi movies as usual stating that the CPN-Maoist has not formally urged the cinema hall operators to stop screening the movies.
"We can´t stop screening Hindi movies as announced by CPN-Maoist through media. So, we continued the shows normally today (Thursday)," said Singh.
Basanta Manadhar, distribution chief of QFX cinema, said cinema halls under the company also screened the Hindi movies as usual.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, issuing a statement on Thursday has asked the CPN-Maoist to withdraw its decision of barring Indian vehicles in Nepal, stating that it could badly affect diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
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