CPN-UML affiliated Youth Association Nepal (YAN) and All Nepal National Free Students´ Union (ANNIFSU) have enforced shutdown in Rupandehi for the second consecutive day on Sunday in protest of death of YAN's leader and entrepreneur Basanta Poudel.

Poudel, 40, was shot dead at his furniture factory Dhekabar of Devdaha Municipality in Rupandehi district on Friday by two unknown assailants who fired multiple shots at him at around 11am. The motorcycle-borne duo fired two shots—in his chest and head. He was pronounced dead at the Butwal-based Lumbini Zonal Hospital.

YAN and ANNIFSU called an indefinite shutdown from Saturday demanding a thorough investigation into the murder and see if the crime was politically motivated. Political parties, business associations and civil society have also expressed their solidarity in the protest while locals in Devdaha joined the protest demanding security.

Family members and relatives have refused to own the body until the arrest of the culprits.

Protesters blame police administration for the death of Poudel, which came around a year after the murder of another UML leader Durga Tiwari in the district.

Meanwhile, the strike has forced the travelers to be at the receiving end as transportation has been halted along the East West Highway. The protestors have also barred the vehicles from plying the inner city roads. Market areas and industries have also remained closed.

Police had escorted vehicles carrying children and elderly out of Rupandehi on Saturday night. Repeated talks between police and protestors failed to seek a way-out after the protestors remained firmed on their stance of continuing the shutdown until the perpetrators were arrested.