MPRF strike continues in eastern Nepal; now Chepangs join the fray

KATHMANDU, Feb 27 - Life continued to be affected in the eastern regions due to the transport strike and customs check post strike announced the agitating Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (JTMM) which has steadfastly refusing parley offers until Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula resigns.
Due to the strike vehicular movement on the roads on the highway remains nil while the check post completely shut.
Meanwhile, both inflow and outflow of goods has ground to a halt in Sunsari’s Chodi customs office.
According to Sunsari customs office Koshi barrage, under the customs banda (strike) called by the MPRF, inflow and outflow of daily commodities from customs check posts in places like Bhantabari and Devangunj have been restricted.
Furthermore, even customs officials are not present to inspect goods at the Bantabari and Devangunj check posts.
Meanwhile, local residents and businessmen are facing a tough time due to the closure of the main check post from where goods from Birpur and Sukol in India are brought in.
In addition, due to obstructions put on the roads even light vehicles like motorcycles and rickshaws have not been able to ply the streets.
Likewise, in Jhapa although markets in the main cities like Karkadbhitta, Damak, Bhadrapur and Birtamod remain open, the transport strike has affected life to a certain degree.
Similarly, the banda has also disrupted daily life in Morang, Siraha, Bara, Sarlahi and Saptari districts.
Meanwhile, the Chepang community has announced a transport strike in four different districts in central and western development regions, demanding a Chepang autonomous region.
They have organized sit-ins at various points in the Makwanpur, Dhading, Chitwan and Gorkha stretch of the Mahendra highway.
Furthermore, they have also obstructed roads in places like Makwanpur's Manahari, Lothar, Chitwan's Narayangarh, Mugling and Dhading's Gajuri.
The Chepangs, who have been living in the forest areas for three decades, have finally taken to the streets demanding the establishment of a federal democratic republic and declaration of a separate election area for the region where the Chepang community resides.
This marks the first time the forest-dwelling community have launched protests demanding ethnical rights and identity. (ekantipur.com