Indefinite curfew clamped in Dhankuta; 13 injured in Doti; Shut-down continue in Dang and Birgunj

Dhankuta / Jan 18: The District Administration Office clamped an indefinite curfew in Dhankuta following a backlash after the government declared Biratnagar instead of Dhankuta as temporary provincial workstation of Province 1.

At least seven protestors were injured in a clash with the police on Thursday. Likewise, a dozen government offices were vandalised and torched, while an ambulance and a police vehicle were also smashed by the agitated Dhankuta denizens.

The protestors smashed a vehicle (Na Jha 1314) carrying Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudip Raj Bhandari after Bhandari reportedly thrashed a protestor.

An ambulance driver carrying a patient to Bhojpur from Morang was also hurt during the incident occurred, the police said.

Over a dozen government offices including Eastern Regional Administration Office, District Land Revenue Office, District Post Office, and District Government Attorney’s Office were smashed and torched. Infrastructure including tables, chairs and computers were also burned down.

Police fire tear gas at protestor, 13 injured

A protest by locals in Deepayal, Doti took a violent turn, prompting police to fire 13 tear gas canisters to disperse the irate mob, on Thursday.

The incident happened when the angry locals were vandalized various regional offices, three police beats, a tripper and other government offices as the government declared Dhangadhi as the temporary capital of state 7 on Wednesday.

People in the district have demanded to develop Deepayal city as the provincial capital but the government announced Dhangadhi as the capital of province-7 dampening their aspiration.

Four protesters and nine security personnel were injured in the clash. Of the injured, Bharat BK of Deepayal Silgadi Municipality-4 is in the critical condition. So, he has been sent to Dhangadhi for further treatment.

Dang shutdown continues

Meanwhile, a shutdown continues in Dang district today also in protest against the government’s decision of making Rupandehi as temporary capital of Province No 5.

Locals have been demonstrating at different places of the district under the leadership of a concerned committee to make Dang as provincial capital. Vehicles operating on long and short routes have come to a standstill as well as educational institutions, industries and markets remained completely shut from early this morning.

Vehicles have been stopped at Bhalubang and Ameliya as Dang road section has remained completely closed.

Member-Secretary of the Committee and Dang President of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Sabin Priyasan, said that the indefinite general strike would be continued until the government corrects its decision.

Issuing a press release, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader and member of House of Representatives of Dang-2, Krishna Bahadur Mahara protested the government’s decision of declaring Rupandehi as temporary capital of province 5.

Similarly, CPN (UML) leader and member of Dang 2 (1), Shankar Pokharel, said that the government’s decision was irrational.

The Committee had on Wednesday night made various decisions including making the agitation strong.

Meanwhile, an all-side meeting is taking place in Ghorahi in this regard.

People protest against gov decision in Birgunj

Likewise, as the government has declared Janakpur as the temporary capital of state 2 on Wednesday, people in Birgunj are protesting against the decision of the government. They have called for the indefinite strike in the district demanding Birgunj as the capital of state 2 instead of Janakpur.

Agitators at Ghantaghar of Birgunj on Thursday morning were chanting slogans against the government decision demanding to take it back instantly and replace capital as Birgunj. They warned government of strong agitation if it does not withdraw its decision.

Protestors have vandalized a car (Ba 12 Cha 365) at the Ghantaghar and the main bazaar of Birgunj is totally shutdown due to strike. Movement of vehicles of long and short distance also has been affected due strike.