BAJHANG: The Bajhang District Administration Office (DAO) has taken action against nine persons alleging them for defying the government enforcement of nationwide lockdown in the name of organizing a festival in Bajhang.

Four ward chairmen of a rural municipality in Bajhang in Sudur Paschim Province have faced action for organizing the festival in Chhabis Pathibhara rural municipality on Monday.

Local government officials, who were also found to be involved in the festival, have been arrested.

Authorities have handed down a sentence of one-month jail term and a fine of Rs 100 to chairpersons of wards two, three and four for defying the government order.

They were, however, released after paying a fine for the whole year according to the legal provision that allows a person receiving a jail sentence shorter than one year would be freed by paying Rs 300 for each day of the sentence.