The southern plains of the country continue to be under the grip of violence and terror as different groups have stepped up their armed activities.

The two factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) as well as Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) have intensified abductions and threats in various districts of eastern Terai.

The whereabouts of two abducted persons including District Education Officer of Saptari Nibha Raj Joshi and senior medical professional Dr. Murali Prasad Singh still remains unknown. The JTMM-Goit faction has owned up responsibility of abducting Joshi. The faction has said that Joshi is being investigated for corruption and for working against the ‘interest of Terai region.’

Reports say, on Monday, the JTMM-Jwala Singh faction looted properties from two dozen households of Dumariya VDC of Rautahat district. Properties worth over Rs one million were looted from the houses of persons predominantly of hilly origin.

In Ghoghanpur of Saptari district, the JTMM-Singh’s activists abducted two persons named Yubaraj Neupane and Kaku Thapa and have demanded ransom of Rs 600,000, according to Neupane’s family members.

In Mahottari district, the activists of MJF have threatened the government employees against opening government offices. Since last one month, government offices in this district have remained closed due to MJF threats. The employees say they have received threats for their lives and that of their family members.

Meanwhile, MJF has announced that it will impose three day Terai bandh from April 20 saying that the government had not shown seriousness to address their concerns.