The Forum for Madhesi Peoples’ Rights has called on an indefinite chhakajam (vehicular strike) in Janakpur from Thursday protesting the arrest of Madhesi activists.

Activists of the Forum brought traffic movement of Janakpur region to a halt protesting against the arrest of their Chairman Upendra Yadav and other Madhesi leaders, from a protest rally organized against the recently promulgated interim constitution.

Members of the forum also prevented the morning services of the Janakpur Railways from operating.

Hundreds of passengers remained stranded in Janakpur area due to the protest programme of the Forum.

The agitated forum members burnt tyres this morning at city’s major thoroughfares including Ramanand Chowk and Vidhyapati Chowk.

The forum members also burnt a tractor belonging to Janakpur Municipality on Wednesday evening at Shiv Chowk.

They have demanded that the Madhesi leaders be released and the charges against them be withdrawn immediately.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has also expressed concern over the arrest Madhesi activists from Maitighar, Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Madhesi activists were arrested for their involvement in the burning of part of a copy of the Interim Constitution.