Daily life in Rukumkot has been greatly affected because of a banda enforced by the locals to protest the government’s decision to shift the headquarters of Rukum (East) to Golkhara.

The people of Rukumkot, which was earlier named the temporary headquarters of the district, feel cheated by the government after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday took decided to change the district headquarters.

A banda, which was declared in protest the following day, continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday. 

Marketplace, schools and government offices have remained closed while public transports have also been prohibited from operation. Hundreds of passengers 

have been stranded due to the shutdown. 

Protesters took to the streets from early morning on Sunday, demanding that the government withdraw its decision and reinstate Rukumkot as the district headquarters. They took out a rally carrying torches and sticks and burned an effigy of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

The protesters also staged sit-ins outside the District Administration Office and at major entry points of the town.

Nanda Lal Sharma, coordinator of the protest committee, said they will continue to demonstrate until their demand is addressed.

Claiming that it was a unanimous decision of the local units and the District Coordination Committee to make Rukumkot the headquarters of Rukum (East), he warned the central government not to interfere. 

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Bhupendra Sapkota has said that his office has not received formal instruction from the centre regarding the Cabinet’s decision.

He added that security in Rukumkot and adjoining areas have been strengthened in view of the protests. 

Birgunj hunger strike continues

PARSA: A relay hunger strike launched by the people of Parsa and Bara districts to press the demand of making Birgunj the capital of Province 2 entered its  25th day on Sunday.

The protest began after the government designated Janakpur of Dhanusha district as the temporary capital of the province.

People from all walks of life are taking turns staging hungers protest at Ghantaghar Chowk in Birgunj. On Sunday, nine people participated in the hunger strike.