Banda and protest against the proposed seven-state federal model continued in various places in Tarai districts on Monday as well.

In Dhanusha, the supporters of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha torched the Nepali Congress party office near Piyariyamai Temple in Janakpur. The party’s municipal committee president, Dhirendra Mohan Jha, said the fire destroyed the office furniture and documents.

The Morcha supporters who were on their way to the CPN-UML party office after torching the NC office were confronted by security personnel who fired warning shots into the air and lobbed tear gas to disperse the mob.

 Shivachowk, Bhanuchowk and Janakichowk remained tensed throughout the day due to clashes.

In Sunsari, seven persons were injured when the protesters and shopkeepers clashed at Gudri Bazaar in Inaruwa-1 on Monday evening. The clash ensued when the protesters tried to force the shopkeepers to close their business.

Three shopkeepers and four protesters sustained injuries in the incident, police said.

In Biratnagar of Morang district, the supporters of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik (MJF-L) closed the bazaar area. They also took out a motorcycle rally also attended by MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar.

Various disgruntled groups staged protests in other Tarai districts like Saptari and Siraha against the seven-state federal model.

Tharu rally in Masuriya

MASURIYA (KAILALI): The Tharuhat supporters organised a protest rally at Masuriya in Kailali district on Monday. The Tharu community in the district took to the street for the first time after the August 24 Tikapur incident in which eight police officers and a minor were killed. Addressing the mass, the Tharuhat leaders underscored the need of peaceful protest to ensure their rights. They also expressed commitment to maintain social harmony. Around 5,000 people gathered at Masuriya to attend the programme. Kailali Chairman of Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha Lahuram Chaudhary, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal’s central member Horilal Chaudhary, former lawmaker Krishna Chaudhary, among others, addressed the function.

Banda called off for five days in Bardiya

GULARIYA: The Tharuhat Struggle Committee on Monday postponed the banda for five days in Bardiya district. The committee said it decided to call off the banda keeping in view of the Tharu festival, Atabari. In Nepalgunj, Banke, locals heaved a sigh of relief after transportation service resumed on Monday despite the banda. Shops and marketplaces also opened, though partially. Meanwhile, protest continued in Dang.

NC district leaders resign en masse for dividing Rukum

RUKUM: Fifteen Nepali Congress (NC) leaders, including the district president, resigned en masse in Rukum to protest the division of the between two states in the proposed seven-state federal set-up. The party leaders and activists submitted their resignation to Prime Minister and NC President Sushil Koirala on Monday.

The disgruntled party members said they quit the party as the Rukum was divided despite repeated assurance from the top leadership of the major political parties to keep the district intact.

NC District President Man Bahadur Nepali, lawmaker Mithu Malla, former state minister Gopalji Jung Shahi and former assistant minister Kesharman Roka, among others, tendered their resignation. According to the proposed demarcation, the eastern Rukum now lies in state-5 and western Rukum in state-6.

The undivided Rukum Struggle Committee has enforced banda in Rukum for the past two weeks against the decision to divide the district.

(With inputs from local correspondents)