Normal life was affected in nine eastern districts on Sunday due to an indefinite banda enforced by Sanghiya Limbuwan Party Nepal.

Vehicles stayed off the roads in Jhapa, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum and Sankhuwasabha among other districts due to the banda. There was, however, partial effect on marketplaces, which largely remained open.

Police arrested the group’s members Sami Palungwa and Amar Yonghang from Kakadbhitta for obstructing vehicular movement. The ethnic group has called for an indefinite banda in the East, demanding that nine districts east of the Arun river be declared Limbuwan autonomous state.

Khagendra Makhim, vice chairman of the party, said that the group decided to enforce the banda as part of its second phase of protests. He warned that the group would not accept the constitution unless a separate Limbuwan state was ensured.