Various Madhes-based parties and other disgruntled groups continued their protests against the proposed seven-state federal model in several Tarai districts on Monday as well.

Normal life has been affected in many districts due to shortage of daily essentials caused by protracted banda and protests. Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, Tharuhat Struggle Committee and various other ethnic outfits have enforced indefinite banda in various Tarai districts for the past one month.

Violent protests were reported in Sarlahi, Morang, Janakpur, Saptari, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu, among others, on Monday. Demonstrators took to the street in  Janakpur of Dhanusha district and Jaleshwor of Mahottari district despite the curfew clamped by the local administrations.

In Sarlahi, protesters hurled a “petrol bomb” at the house of CPN-UML lawmaker Kamala Devi Mahato in Malangawa. Police said Mahato’s family moved to their neighbour’s house after the incident.

In Kapilvastu, the banda enforcers torched three vehicles for defying banda. A jeep and a motorcycle were set afire at Bhilmi VDC while another motorcycle was torched along the Chandrauta-Krishnanagar road stretch.

In Parasi, the district headquarters of Nawalparasi, demonstrators set fire to a bus belonging to Little Angel’s Higher Secondary School.

The Morcha supporters burned the effigies of the leaders of three major political parties at Biratnagar in Morang district. Six persons were injured when the demonstrators clashed with security personnel.

In Saptari, local administration beefed up the security throughout the district after the Morcha supporters burned the Rajbiraj-based district office of ruling Nepali Congress on Sunday evening. Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, the Morcha supporters staged demonstrations in Rajbiraj and other parts of Saptari on Monday.

Police arrest local Morcha leaders

RAUTAHAT/ SIRAHA: Police arrested five district leaders of Samyukta Loktantrik Madhes Morcha in Rautahat district on Monday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudhir Raj Shahi said Ajaya Gupta, Shekha Jamsed, Anil Singh, Ram Kishwor Yadav and Rameshwor Prasad

Yadav were arrested for investigation. Likewise, Dhaneshwor Yadav, the member of Madhes Movement Joint Struggle Committee, was detained for his alleged involvement in destroying public properties from Lahan in Siraha district.

Magar community stage rally for separate state

PALPA: The Magar community on Monday staged a demonstrated in Palpa district demanding a separate Magarat state. The demonstrators said that they will not accept the new constitution unless their demand is fulfilled. Suresh Ale Magar, a senior Leader of Magarat Struggle Committee, said they will not accept federalism that is not based on identity.

Banda lifted in Deukhuri

DANG: The Tharuhat Struggle Committee on Monday lifted the banda enforced at Deukhuri in Dang district for the past one month. The committee decided to withdraw the banda in view of the approaching festival season. Meanwhile, the people in Bardiya district defied the banda and opened shops and market areas.

Tikapur still tense   

TIKAPUR:  Though the security in Tikapur, Kailali, has been tightened, after the August 24 riot, normalcy has yet to return in the town. Communal harmony between the Tharus and Hill people still remains tenuous.  Assistant Chief District Officer Udaya Bahadur Singh said curfew orders have not altogether been lifted because the tension is still not over yet.

(With inputs from local correspondents)