Locals have started indefinite shutdown of Biratnagar from Monday demanding the city be declared capital of Province 1 and all the provincial offices kept there.

Locals with support of Biratnagar Mayor Bhim Parajuli have started the indefinite strike after the provincial parliamentary party of ruling CPN registered a proposal at the provincial assembly secretariat proposing that Biratnagar be declared capital, and offices of the provincial legislature and executive be kept at Itahari, Gothgaun and other places.

“Locals have shut down Biratnagar spontaneously after the impractical and laughable decision. I also support it as a Biratnagar dweller,” Parajuli, who was elected on a Nepali Congress (NC) ticket, told Setopati. “The metropolis is ready to provide land for the offices if necessary. But we will not accept the decision to keep legislative office at one place and executive at other.”

He claimed that a committee has been formed for organizing the strike, and civil society leaders and leaders of even ruling CPN and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) are participating in the strike.

He added that the strike will continue until Biratnagar is declared the provincial capital and all offices are kept there.

The provincial assembly meeting later Monday afternoon will discuss the proposal registered by CPN.