The businessmen torched two motorbikes belonging to Madhesi leaders in Janakpur in Dhanusha district yesterday. In retaliation, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) supporters took to the streets and enforced a shutdown in the area today.
The front also enforced shutdown of schools, colleges and market places.
A meeting of the party yesterday declared senior vice-chairman of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Janakpur chapter Bijay Kumar Shah, and two businessmen, as anti-Madhesis and decided to close their shops and business establishments.
Life in the southern Nepal plains have been seriously affected by the protests by Indian-origin Madhesis against the country's new Constitution that was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on September 20.
Madhesis, who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, demand a re-demarcation of provinces, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.
So far, over 50 people have died during the Madhesi-Tharu agitation launched by the marginalised groups of the country.