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SLMM intensifies protest; dozens of vehicles smashed
Supporters of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha vandalised dozens of vehicles in various places on Monday.Supporters of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha vandalised dozens of vehicles in various places on Monday. The SLMM has been staging demonstrations in various Tarai districts for the past 73 days. In several districts, they have enforced banda, blocking passenger vehicles from plying the streets and shuttering shops and other business establishments.
The protesters have warned of intensifying their agitation, claiming that their demands have not been addressed yet. Organising a press meet at Bhairahawa in Rupandehi district, the SLMM leaders announced that the SLMM will resort to stronger protest from Tuesday.
In Saptari district, protesters vandalised dozens of vehicles that were being escorted from Bhardaha, Rupani, Bairawa and Barmajhiya.
An improvised explosive device was also planted at Nepali Congress lawmaker Surendra Prasad Yadav’s house at Rajbiraj-5. The explosive was defused by a Nepal Army team from Shree Krishna Dal Battalion.
Some booklets with pictures of a long-dormant Tarai armed outfit, Jai Krishna Goit-led Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha were also found at the site where the explosive was found.
The SLMM supporters continued to demonstrate in various places of Biratnagar in Morang district. They forbade even rickshaws from plying the Koshi Highway.
A protest assembly was organised at Rangeli Bazaar in the district which was addressed by Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav. Speaking on the occasion, Yadav said that Nepal will not progress if it degrades India. He added the existing problems could be resolved internally if only the government is willing to ensure the rights of Madhesi people.
150 cargo trucks enter Nepal from Jogbani
BIRATNAGAR: Around 150 cargo trucks entered Nepal from Jogbani customs point on Monday. None of the trucks were fuel tankers, though there are around 120 fuel tankers stranded across the border in the Indian side awaiting customs clearance. There is no obstruction from the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha at Biratnagar-Jogbani border.
Police, SLMM cadres clash in Biratnagar
MORANG: Tension flared up in Biratnagar on Monday evening after cadres of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) clashed with police. The situation became tense after the protesters allegedly hurled a petrol bomb at a police team patrolling the Malaya Road area. Police resorted to action after the SLMM cadres attacked the security patrol, Morang Police Chief Tarani Prasad Lamsal said.
After the police team was provoked, the police team tried to chase away the protesters who were staging sit-in at Malaya Road in the evening.
The SLMM supporters have been staging sit-in at the road that lies 3 km north of Nepal-India border since Sunday night.
Indian drivers stage sit-in outside Consulate General of India
BIRGUNJ: The Indian drivers stranded at Birgunj due to the ongoing border blockade staged a sit-in outside the office of Consulate General of India on Monday, demanding to make an environment for them to return home. Dal Jeet Singh, an Indian cargo truck driver from Punjab, said they are going to die of hunger if the blockade at the border is not lifted immediately. Around 1,000 of Indian cargo drivers and their helpers are stranded at Birgunj.