People calling for an undivided Far West took out a rally in Dhangadhi. The protesters demanded that all the nine districts of the far-western region should be within a single state. In Tikapur, normal life was affected as the campaigners enforced a banda.

As social networking sites and some online portals reported the parties’ plans to federate the country into six states by dividing Kailali, locals prepared for a protest since Wednesday evening.

Struggle Committee Coordinator Gopal Deuba said they had revived their campaign with peaceful protests and corner meets. “It seems that the leaders have forgotten our 32-day movement. We have initiated the campaign to press the government and the parties to address our concerns,” he said.

Supporters of the ‘undivided’ Far West campaign enforced a banda in the region for weeks in 2012 to press the parties not to divide the region while federating the country.

Several parties and organisations are in favour of keeping Kailali whole. Even the indigenous Tharus, though against an undivided Far West, say the district should not be divided.