Addressing a programme organised to offer condolences to Ram Aashish Thakur, who was killed after being struck by police van on Friday, Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato announced the withdrawal of the protests and Rs 500,000 as relief for the bereaved family. Thakur’s final rites were conducted on Thursday. Ajaya Gupta, district chief of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik, said the protests were called off as leaders in the Capital pledged to press the government to address their demands. Locals, meanwhile, heaved a sigh of relief as the market places opened and transportation resumed in the area after nine days.

The protests were initiated by the Rautahat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) demanding the reversal of the government’s decision to set up branches of district-level government offices in Chandranigahpur. Even after the CCI withdrew protests on Wednesday, the opposition alliance continued with them.

The protests had turned violent following Thakur’s death. Chandranigahpur locals, however, are staging a relay hunger strike demanding that the decision to set up branches of government offices be set up in the town.