Kathmandu, November 28 – In what is seen as a strange decision, the Maoist rebels have announced two-day long district-wide bandh in south-western district of Rupandehi-that is home to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha.
The Maoist call for strike beginning Tuesday (November 30-December 1) coincides with the Second International Buddhist Conference scheduled to be held in Lumbini (November 30-December 2).
Earlier, the government had urged the rebels to declare truce during the period of conference.
The conference organizers have said that the ‘bandh’ would not affect their program. They even hoped that the decision to announce bandh would be revoked by the Maoist leadership.
The proposed strike may hamper the movement of the participants as they will be staying in neighboring cities of Bhairahawa and Butwal.
Over 137 participants from 17 countries are taking part in the conference including ministers from eight countries. Authorities have said they have made adequate arrangements for security during the conference. They have also denounced the move terming it as ‘unwarranted.’
The Maoists may have announced the ‘bandh’ to humiliate the government and attract media attention, reports said.
