Normal life in the Terai region has been badly affected due to the Terai bandh (shutdown strike) called by Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), a breakaway faction of Maoists led by Jaya Krishna Goit.

The JTMM-called the bandh demanding appropriate representation of Madhesi people in all mechanisms of the state and delimitation of election constituencies according to population ratio. It has also demanded that the Terai region be declared “autonomous province”.

Vehicular traffic in Southern districts like Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi, Dhanusha and Mahottari remains disrupted since early Friday morning while marketplaces and industries have also been closed due to the bandh.

Cadres of the JTMM vandalised one empty tanker heading towards Dhalkebar of Dhanusa district on Thursday evening.

The government has already said it is ready for talks with the JTMM and has urged the outfit to end violence and abductions.