The All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU), student wing of the main opposition CPN-UML, among other student unions have called for a an indefinite Rupandehi banda. Student organisations, business community, civil society leaders and general public spontaneously turned out in the streets in large numbers in Butwal, where demonstrations are being held at Rajmarga Chauraha, Minalchowk, Buspark, Pushpalal Park, among other places, in protest of the proposed split of Province 5. Transportation has come to a halt along the East-West Highway and Siddhartha Highway. The educational institutions have also remained shut in the district. It was later turned into an indefinite banda as political parties, business community, civil society leaders The agitators have said that they will continue protests unless the government takes back its decision to break the hilly districts–Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Palpa, Rolpa– from Province 5. Likewise, in Palpa, various student unions are protesting the split of Province 5 since early morning. The strike has affected the lives of general people and transportation, educational institutions and businesses have remained shut.
