NFIN called bandh cripples life across the nation

Life across the nation has been crippled due to a bandh (general strike) called by various ethnic groups led by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN) to observe June 1 as ‘Black Day’ in memory of a ruling by the Supreme Court nine years ago to ban the use of local language as formal language in local bodies.

They have announced a nationwide bandh Friday in protest of the high court’s decision.

Market places, education institutions and industries remained closed all over the country.

All public transportation remained off the road in the Valley, while press vehicles, ambulances and blue plated vehicles could be seen in the roads. Only a few shops in some inner places of the Valley were open. Many people could be seen walking in the roads heading towards their destinations.

Eastern districts like Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Saptari, Dhanusha, Illam, Taplejung, Paanchthar, Sankhwasabha, Ramechap and Sinduli remain completely shut.

Western districts like Butwal, Pokhara, Birgunj, Narayangarh, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi are also affected by the bandh.

All vehicular movement has also been restricted by the agitators in the capital.

Meanwhile, the police have informed that no untoward incident has occurred anywhere in the country due to the strike.