Maoists enforce bandh in Arghakhanchi following scuffle with local drivers

Enraged that couple of its activists were injured in the scuffle with members of the district committee of jeep-drivers, Maoists have announced bandh (shutdown strike) in Arghakhanchi district from Wednesday.

Maoist district secretary Chandra Bahadur Khadka said that they won’t withdraw their strike until their 4-point demand that includes medical treatment and other compensation for the injured is not met.

Normal life in district headquarters Sandhikharka bazaar was affected due to the bandh announced by the Maoists as shops, businesses, factories and even educational institutions of the main commercial hub of the district remained mostly closed while vehicles also remained largely off the road.

In the scuffle that ensued on Tuesday, following a heated debate after the bus carrying Maoist activists heading from the district headquarters to Hansapur was not “given side” by a local jeep driver, more than 10 people of both sides were injured. The curfew that had been imposed by the local administration in district headquarters Sandhkharka bazaar including few other places of the district from 7:45 pm in the evening to bring the situation under control had been lifted at 6 am in the Wednesday morning.

In the meantime, Maoist activists and local jeep-owners are holding a meeting at the District Administration Office (DAO), Arghakhanchi to settle the feud. nepalnews.com ag Oct 31 07