Normal life in the district has been affected as a bandh called by CPN-Maoist has entered third day on July 24.

CPN-Maoist called indefinite bandh blaming that one of its cadres was killed as Nepali Congress cadres attacked him recently. The agitators have demanded announcing the deceased a martyr, providing compensation to the deceased family and taking action against the guilty.

Passengers bounded to Jhapa and various places from Phidim and those heading to Phidim from different places have been stranded as no vehicles plied in Mechi Highway and roads in the district. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded on the way in Mechi Highway. Dozens of passengers, who were heading to Panchthar from Birtamod, have been stranded on the way for the past three days, Rajan Rai of Memeng3 said.

Life has been affected as supplies of food items have been halted due to the bandh, Subharaj Thapa, chairperson of Panchthar Chambers of Commerce and Industries said.

CPN-Maoist said that its area no 4 member Gajendra Jabegu, 25 of Yangnam6 was killed by NC cadres attacked him.  Jagebu, who was critically injured in the attack on July 17 while he had been returning home from Ranke bazaar, succumbed to his injuries while he was undergoing treatment in a hospital in Biratnagar on July 21.

Family of the deceased has filed a complaint against 13 persons at DPO on July 18. Of the accused, six have been arrested so far, Inspector Yam Bahadur Paudel said.

An all-party meeting was called to withdraw the bandh at DAO, however, it ended inconclusively after Maoists denied withdrawing it until their demands were met on July 23.