The two-day bandh called by Maoists in Nepal, which began on Monday, brought normal life to a standstill in larger parts of western and northern regions of the Himalayan Kingdom.
Commercial establishments, including shops, cinemas, restaurants and even teastalls remained shut in Nepalgunj, Daang, Bardia, Dailek and most other towns in the neighbourhood.
Government offices were kept open under unusual security cover in the district headquarters, but attendance remained thin. Employees looked extremely apprehensive, particularly on account of the bomb attack on the Nepalgunj Economic Affairs office, which left four employees wounded on Sunday (Saturday is the weekly off in Nepal).
Only hotels and lodges had their kitchens working, while a few medical stores and hospitals remained open to deal with emergencies.
All educational institutions wore a deserted look.
While motorised vehicles have already been off the road since the rebels announced an indefinite economic blockade from February 12, very few bicycles and rickshaws were seen on the city roads.
According to an aviation official, flights took off as usual from the Nepalgunj airport, even though there were very few travellers.
Armed policemen trotted around the city, checking nearly every passer-by, while soldiers of the Royal Nepalese Army patrolled in different parts of the town at regular intervals.
While people seemed to be quite well prepared for the 'bandh', which will continue on Tuesday, what appears to be worrying many is the indefinite blockade that has completely crippled inter-city and inter-district movements.
"We have witnessed 'bandhs' in the past as well, but never before have we seen such impact, which has led to this undeclared curfew-like situation," remarked a local journalist requesting anonymity due to the enforcement of press censorship in the Himalayan kingdom ever since King Gyanendra assumed power two weeks ago after overthrowing the democratically elected Deuba government.
With cyber cafes and public call offices keeping shutters down, Indian scribes camping in this part of Nepal's economically most vibrant town, had no option but to cross over to the Indian side to file copies.
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