The local administration in Siraha district has instructed concerned stakeholders to resume schools that has remained closed for nearly three months.

As per the decision of the Monday’s all-party meeting, Chief District Officer (CDO) Man Bahadur BK instructed the stakeholders to resume classes in the educational institutions. The schools have remained shut in various Tarai district, including Siraha, for the past 84 days due to the indefinite strike enforced by the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM).

Following the CDO’s instruction, some private schools in the district headquarters resumed classes on Thursday. But the SLMM activists coerced them to close their gates.

“We are forced to close school again after threats from banda enforcers,” said Madhusudan Yadav, founder of Bal Sansar Secondary Boarding School. Yadav complained that the children have been deprived of their fundamental rights to education.

The school operators said that the SLMM activists did injustice by closing schools in the district headquarters, while some private schools have been running in Mirchaiya, Golbazaar, Lahan and in rural areas.

Protest continues in Janakpur

Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) supporters continued their protest in Janakpur on Thursday, banning even motorcycles from plying the streets. The protesters vandalised some motorcycles and local shops. Local shopkeepers said some baton-wielding protesters vandalised shops that were open at Shivachowk.

Similarly, the public vehicles were seen plying the roads in Biratnagar even though there were some obstructions. More than 50 passenger buses had left for various destinations from Biratnagar buspark. Some passenger vehicles also entered the city from various places. However, the SLMM protesters demonstrated at Mahabir Chowk in Biratnagar and shut down market areas.

Likewise, the SLMM decided to relax banda considering Tihar and Chhat festivals in Morang. District Chairman of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Mohammad Kadir said they decided to relax banda after 3pm. Meanwhile, our correspondent in Birgunj reported that life is gradually getting back to normal in Birgunj after a violent protest at the border area where an Indian national was killed in police on Monday.

No fuel enters Nepal from south

No fuel tankers entered Nepal from the south on Thursday as India sealed its border points. The number of cargo trucks and fuel tankers entering Nepal has been decreased over the week, according to Mechi Customs Office. Similarly, Trinagar Customs Office in Dhangadi said that Indian security forces obstructed Nepal-bound cargo trucks on the Indian side of the border. Around 60 cargo trucks are stranded in the area.