Again Bandh?

The rumours of five-day Nepal bandh have greatly affected the life in the country. Earlier, similar speculations spread just a week before the students were to sit for the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations. Later after the pressure from different organisations including the powerful political parties and students’ organisations the Maoists announced the postponement of the bandh just a day before the crucial examinations were to begin. But in the eastern terai, especially, in Jhapa and Morang districts the announcement made by Maoists’ leaders could not work. As a result, the shops remained closed and the vehicles were off the road for three days. Again the same people belonging to the terrorists’ organisation are threatening the local shopkeepers and vehicle-owners not to operate their services. How can we tolerate 10-day bandh a month? Aren’t there other means of protest?

I. P. Dahal
Birtamod, Jhapa