Normal life of people in Saptari has been thrown out of gear as the shutdown called by the United Democratic Madhesi Front entered the 55th consecutive day on Thursday. The UDMF's shutdown comes in protest of state delineation.

Locals here are bearing direct impact of the indefinite shutdown as factories, industries, educational institutions and markets have remained closed whereas the government offices, business houses and banks look deserted due to the absence of service-seekers.

The shutdown has led to the shortage of the food items and other essential goods. Consumers are forced to pay higher amount for the commodities as the vendors charge them arbitrarily.

It is said that the agitators have halted the vehicular movement in the district headquarters and have caused obstruction in various road-sections in Bhardaha, Kanchannpur, Rupani and Kalyanpur along the East-West Highway.