A police team sent by the headquarters to investigating the blast, ostensibly perpetrated by Jantantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) led by Rajan Mukti, has yet to reveal anything substantial and has refused to meet the press. The team is led by DSP Bhupendra Khatri [break]
Although the police investigation appeared very slow, inspector Govinda Puri, chief of crime investigation at Danusha District Police Office, claimed they are on the right track. "The investigation seems slow-paced on surface, but we have made some progress," Puri said.
Jaya Prakash Shah, 28, a resident of Itaharwa VDC-2 in Mahottari whose motorcycle was used in the blast, was arrested by police on Wednesday. However, police have refused to comment on whether Shah was linked to Ranjit Jha, alias Rajan Mukti, who claimed the responsibility for the blast.
Maithali sacrifice day declared
Condemning the blast, an all-party meeting on Wednesday decided to block the East-West highway. The Dhanusha chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has also announced a district wide indefinite strike from Thursday to show its solidarity.
Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (Democratic) lawmaker Kaushal Kishor Yadav, who attended the all-party meeting, said their agitation would continue until they achieve an autonomous Mithila state. The meeting also heard calls for day of the blast to be remembered as Maithili sacrifice day from next year.
Meanwhile, rumors of another explosion frightened the people of Janakpur on Wednesday. When the all-party meeting was going on a participant received a text message of another explosion at Ramananda chowk. They, along with the police, rushed to Ramananda chowk but found no trace of explosion.
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