Banda continues in tarai

State accused of ‘negligence’

RAJBIRAJ/SIRAHA, Sept 29: On Monday ongoing banda imposed by the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) in 11 districts of eastern tarai completed its 44th day. Transportation services, industries, education institutes, government offices, market places and corporate institutes remained closed, throwing normal life out of gear.

With short of general amenities in the market, including essential medicines, oils, and petrol among others, prices of goods are soaring high. The condition of people who depend on daily wages, have been hit the worst by the prolonged strike.

Despite the worsening conditions agitating parties and the government have failed to reach consensus on outstanding issues in the new constitution for resolving the crisis.

"Why hasn't the government sat for table talk?" Ramu Mandal a local of Kajaul VDC-3, Saptari question adding, "We have protesting secure our rights from the state. What will the government lose if it gives into demands of its own people?"

Mandal was sour because none of the senior leaders have come forward to visit the disgruntled Madheshi groups. "How do they plan to understand the problems of Madheshi people by staying in comfort zone of Kathmandu? They should come and see our plight themselves for better understanding," he added.

Although business houses, entrepreneurs and labors in Saptari used to defy bands in the past, most of them seem to be willing to even speak against it this time due to lack of response from the government. This has made things easier for the agitating groups to enforce their bandas and continue with it.

"We have to compromise and lose something to gain something," said Pankaj Bhagat, operator of Radio Darpan, a Rajbiraj based FM station. "Prolonged duration of the protests shows how negligent the government is towards Madhesi demands. Hence, we are morally obliged to bear little inconvenience for this decisive protest."

However, amid these sentiments exorbitant price of general commodities have severly affected the general public. Gajendra Yadav, a student of Lahan-4 was taken aback when a local LPG gas dealer demanded Rs 2,000 for a gas cylinder against the regular price of Rs 1,400. The dealer, Yadav said, in turn clarified the exorbitant prices stating that the ongoing border blockade imposed by India is to be blamed for the hike. "If you want to buy a gas, pay the price. That's the only option," Yadav quoted the dealer as asserting.

Consumers have been filing complaints in the District Administration Office (DAO) and District Police Office (DPO), Siraha. Although the Chief District Officer Man Bahadur BK promised to take swift action against the black marketers, locals claim that the issue has not been effectively resolved.

Responding to the claims BK said, "Although I'm aware about the black marketing, it is very difficult to control it at the moment. The black market is rampant with support from the agitators. If we take action against, we are afraid that the agitators will resort to rampant vandalism."

Likewise, local petrol pumps have been found to be charging higher price for petrol than fixed by the government. They have been charging Rs 150 to Rs 170 for per liter of petrol against Rs 105 to Rs 110 fixed by the government. According to Chandan Yadav of Lahan, consumers have been overcharged when buying recharge cards, onions, lentils, among other goods. Another local, Deependra Yadav informed that "The neighboring Indian markets including Laukaha and Jayanagar are closed for buying goods since the last 3-4 days."

Yashodanand Mishra, a retired Tribhuwan University professor accused the government of not taking serious interventions to resolve the stand off in the tarai region and called on the government to immediately address the demands of the agitating parties. "Ongoing agitation in Madhes is not a good indication for the nation. The government should seriously consider the demands of the agitators and take measures to pacify them," said Mishra.