The agreement was reached a few days ago after the protestors threatened to shut down all flights for an indefinite period, according to Buddha Airlines´ Binit Shah. He said the airlines would have to shut down the operation unless there is withdrawal of protest.
The Tharus, who are protesting against a government decision to list them as Madhesis, had sent a notice to all airlines offices in Nepalgunj. After the talks with the protestors, the airlines agreed to shut their operation for a day.
The protestors have already seized the country´s main artery along the Tarai – the East-West Highway – for the past five days. Their banda call at several places in the Tarai has entered the seventh day on Sunday.
The shutdown of Nepalgunj airport would mean no flights to and from the capital, and one of the market hubs in the mid-west, Surkhet. Nepalgunj also has crucial links to airports in inaccessible places like Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, among others.
Meanwhile, markets and schools remain shut in Tarai districts on Monday, the seventh day of the banda. No vehicles are plying today as well. An unspecified number of passengers are still stranded on the highway.
Protestors burnt a motorcycle at Pushpanagar of Sorhawa VDC of Bardiya district Saturday night, said Superintendent of Police, Ganesh KC.
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