Protests against the six-state federal model continued to rage on in all five districts of Karnali region on Wednesday as well.

Business establishments, schools, offices, factories and transportation service in these districts remained closed as the banda enforced by the protesters entered its fourth day.

The protesters took to the streets demanding that the Karnali region should be a separate state without incorporating the Far West regions, as proposed by the four major political parties— Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik—in the six-state federal setup.  They have formed the Undivided Karnali State Struggle Committee to press the demand for a separate Karnali state. As a part of the protest, the committee has decided to continue the banda in the five districts of the region until Saturday.

 In Jumla district, representatives of various political parties and civil servants also joined the protest for separate Karnali state. They took out rally and staged a sit-in protest at the district headquarters. They and warned of stepping up the protest if their demand is not addressed.

The supporters of undivided Karnali have accused that the top leaders of the four major political parties are conspiring to push behind the region by 100 years by denying them their demand.

Meanwhile, the local administration in Jumla mobilised additional security personnel in the district

on Wednesday to contain the protest.

Similarly in Mugu, local women took out a protest rally at the district headquarters to press for a separate Karnali state. They also demanded resignation of the lawmakers representing the region. Protests also continued in Dolpa, Kalikot and Humla districts.

Tharuhat protest continues

NEPALGUNJ/TIKAPUR: The banda enforced by Tharu community in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya and Dang districts continued on Wednesday as well, affecting the normal life. Transportation service was greatly affected as a result of the banda.

Market places also remained shut. The Tharu community has demanded a separate Tharuhat state, denouncing the six-state federal model proposed by the four major political parties.

(With inputs from our district correspondents)