As major parties continue to bicker over a constitution amendment bill, which has sparked protests with majority of those taking to the streets opposing the plan to split Province 5, a knot of demonstrators in Dhakdhahi in Rupandehi staged a rally in support of the bill.

Dhakdhahi is eight kilometres from Bhairahawa where locals on Tuesday protested against the plan to split Province 5.

In Butwal, protests against the amendment bill continued on the seventh day on Tuesday. 

The amendment bill registered by the government on November 29 envisions splitting Province 5 to take out seven Hill districts from it to make it a “Tarai-only” province. The rationale behind the move, according to the government, is addressing the agitating parties’ demands.

In Dhakdhahi where a rally was organised in support of the amendment bill, speakers came down heavily on the main opposition CPN-UML for ignoring the issues of Madhes and Madhesi people. 

Meanwhile, protesters in Butwal and Arghakhanchi said on Tuesday that they were calling off their banda programmes in view of the hardships faced by people. Six agitating parties, including the UML, have said they have postponed banda until December 11. They, however, said they would continue their peaceful protests.