Political parties, business community and local people in Tamghas, the district headquarters of Gulmi, have continued their protests against the constitution amendment bill that proposes splitting Province 5 while also giving continuity to the district shutdown that entered its 12th day on Sunday.

The protesters formed a 1km-long human chain in Tamghas on Sunday as part of their protest programme against the bill. The human chain extended from Lakuri Manch to Balmandir, the stretch where major government offices, including the District Administration Office, are situated.

While the anti-bill protesters in the districts like Rupandehi, Palpa and Arghakhanchi have withdrawn the shutdown protest, the protesters in Gulmi have refused to give in.

Normal life has been crippled in the district due to the prolonged banda, shutting down transportation service, businesses and schools. But the protesters say the banda and demonstrations will continue until their demand is addressed.

Bhuwan Prasad Shrestha, the district president of Nepali Congress, told a protest assembly on Sunday that their struggle for an undivided Province 5 will continue until the government withdraws the bill tabled in Parliament.

Shrestha is also the coordinator of a committee that is leading the protest in the district.

The committee has called for a general assembly in the district on Monday to mark the 13th day of the protest.

Senior political leaders like Pradeep Gyawali from CPN-UML, Chandra Bhandari from NC and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi from CPN (Maoist Centre) are scheduled to address the assembly, according to Maoist Centre district in charge Bir Bahadur Karki.