Top Stories Banda hits life across country

KATHMANDU, FEB 20 -
A nationwide strike called by the CPN-Maoist brought normal life across the country to a standstill on Tuesday. The party enforced the shutdown in protest against the decision of the major political parties to form an election government under the sitting chief justice.
The dawn-to-dusk banda hit transport services, academic institutions, offices, factories and shops, while cases of vandalism were reported in various parts of the country, including the Capital.
Banda enforcers vandalised a vehicle owned by Kantipur Publications in New Baneshwor at around 9 am. A vehicle of Sagarmatha Television was also smashed in Bijuli Bazaar. CPN-Maoist cadres also vandalised a bus owned by Gangalal Hospital in Banasthali, a microbus in Jorpati and a taxi in Naya Bazaar.
Banda enforcers entered the office of Purbanchal University in Sinamangal and the branch office of the Agriculture Development Bank in Putalisadak and smashed furniture there. The strike also affected the ongoing Bachelors 3rd year exams of Tribhuvan University. Students of science and management faculties were forced to walk to their exam centres.
Police arrested seven CPN-Maoist cadres from several parts of Kathmandu for their involvement in vandalism and violent activities.
In Banepa, Kavre, banda supporters vandalised a bus. They gathered at the main thoroughfares and junctions from early morning there. Other Central Region districts like Makawanpur, Chitwan, Mahottari and Bara also bore the banda brunt, though no incidents of violence and vandalism were reported there.
In the east, the banda affected districts like Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta and Sankhuwasabha. Banda supporters smashed three vehicles in Dhankuta and padlocked four government offices. Three trucks carrying goods to Hile from Dharan in Sunsari were vandalised early morning. The banda enforcers smashed at least six shops in Dharan.
In Sankhuwasabha, CPN-Maoist workers forcibly closed 35 government offices.
The banda had a partial affect in the mid-western region, where major towns and marketplaces were mainly hit. Two wheelers and small vehicles plied without any hindrance. Long distance vehicles, however, remained off the roads in districts like Banke, Jajarkot, Kalikot and Salyan, forcing many people to walk to their destinations.
Normal life in the western districts, including Kaski, Tanahun, Lamjung and Baglung was affected. In Pokhara, banda enforcers vandalised a tourist bus and assaulted the driver. A motorcycle was set on fire in Tanahun for defying the banda.
Police held 11 CPN-Maoist cadres at Mahendranagar in the Far Western district of Kanchanpur. They were taken in custody for vandalising the office of the Agriculture Input Company. The banda also affected the districts of Kailali, Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Darchula.  
The banda was also called to press for the release of eight Maoist cadres arrested on the charge of murdering Dailekh-based journalist Dekendra Thapa during the insurgency.
(With inputs from our district correspondents)