Normal life in the capital has been affected on Monday as well, the second day of the seven day long Nepal bandh (general strike) called by the Maoists to disrupt the municipal polls.

Like in the first day of bandh, shops in interior parts of the city are open; shops in major thoroughfares remained closed. Most of the public and private vehicles kept off the roads but two wheelers and mini-vans could be seen plying around the streets.

The first day of bandh affected normal life across the country on Sunday.

The bandh however passed off largely peaceful on Sunday though security forces diffused bombs at Balkhu, Chabbhil and in front of the Tri-Chandra military hospital.

Educational institutions, major commercial establishments, private offices and shops in major hubs of the capital remained closed. However, shops and offices in the bylanes were open.

More vehicles were seen plying than on previous bandhs as heavy security arrangement have been made to thwart the bandh.

Some taxi drivers, however, said that they worked Sunday to earn more money. “I always ply my vehicle during strikes because I charge more money on such days,” said Bharat Thapa Magar, of Dhading. Buses belonging to Nepal Yatayat, Kantipur Yatayat, a few micro-buses, tempos and Tata mobile vans were running.

Meanwhile, public life was crippled throughout the nation on the first day of a week-long general strike called by the Maoists. There was scant vehicular movement on roads across Pokhara and most shops, barring some tea stalls, remained closed. Most academic institutions also remained closed. A few vehicles were seen plying, that too under the protection of the security forces. Additional security personnel were deployed in Pokhara, according to reports.

In Chitwan, normal life was brought to a standstill due to the bandh. Only bicycles and rickshaws could be seen plying on the roads while academic and business institutions remained closed.

A report from Bara said most of the shops, local industries and academic institutions in the district remained closed and only a few government personnel attended office. The first day of the bandh crippled normal life in Rautahat too.

A report from Rupandehi said the bandh affected normal life in the district. Though the local administration had urged people to go about their business as usual, most shops remained closed.

According to reports from Sarlahi, most business and academic establishments remained closed. Police personnel were deployed to open shops in Malangwa bazaar Sunday morning, but the shop owners demurred. The Maoists placed obstacles on the Lalbandi section of the Mahendra Highway.

Police forcibly opened the main business centres in Dhading district, including in Dhadingbeshi, the district headquarters. Most of the business institutions remained shut and the streets were deserted. Ambulances were plying on the Tribhuvan and Prithvi highways under the escort of security forces.

A report from Birgunj said most sectors were affected by the bandh. Unified security forces were deployed at the main chowks of the city Sunday morning. Security forces were running some vehicles under their control.

In Janakpurdham, a few motorbikes could be seen plying, but most private enterprises remained closed. The government-run Janakpur Cigarette Factory and Janakpur-Jayanagar Rail service were open for operation.

A report from Pyuthan said all social sectors in the district remained closed. The Maoists staged torch rallies at Bijaynagar, Bijuwar and Dharmawati, among other places, reports quoted locals as saying.

In Tanahun, most educational institutions remained closed while few people could be seen in government offices.

The Maoists obstructed the Mahendra highway’s Belbari to Kakarvitta section. Traffic came to a halt and all shops, industrial houses, educational institutes remained shut. The bomb disposal team dispatched from the RNA’s eastern divisional headquarters deactivated the bombs laid out by Maoists at Jirikhimti in Morang, said the RNA’s eastern divisional headquarters.

A report from Phidim said the local administration used security personnel to open some of the shops in Phidim, yet educational institutes and factories remained shut.

A report from Dhankuta said the bandh affected life there in a big way. Sunsari district was also affected by the bandh, as was Bhairahawa. The bandh also affected normal life in Biratnagar, Gorkha, Syangja, Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Dolakha, Rajbiraj and Kanchanpur.

Meanwhile the government decided to give extra 20 percent on insurance amount owners of damaged vehicles are entitled to. Owners of those sans insurance will get proper compensation.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Transport management said drivers are insured for Rs 150,000 each while the co-driver and helper are insured for Rs 100,000 each.

The Maoists have called a week long Nepal Bandh in a bid to disrupt the municipal polls slated for Wednesday, despite heavy criticism from all walks of life.