Transport workers unions call off protest

Transport workers have retracted their agitation following an agreement to take action against those involved in attacking transport workers, investigate the alleged irregularities in Lhotse Multipurpose, the contractor company hired to operate the New Bus Park, and discuss the remaining issues in a task force.

Confirming the decision, Nepal Transport Independent Workers’ Union chair Bhim Jwala Rai said that they decided to withdraw the protest after the government – during a meeting with Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha among other government representatives held in the ministry today – committed to address their demands.

Public transportation vehicles did not operate in the Valley since early Tuesday morning due to the strike resulting in problems for the commoners.

“The government committed to take action against manager of the Lhotse Company – who attacked the transport workers – Sunil Kunwar and arrest Pankaj Malla, apart from addressing the demands of the transport workers and release the workers who were arrested while staging the demonstration today.

The Transport Workers’ Association yesterday announced that they will halt public transport services in the Kathmandu Valley from today, if their demands are not addressed.

There was no public vehicle on the roads today. Most of the people were either walking to their destination or using Pathau or Drive In.

The government thus, called them for talks, where transport entrepreneurs agreed to withdraw the strike following the talks with the deputy Prime Minister and Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha. Shrestha expressed his commitment to resolve the problems forming a task force, according to chair of Nepal Independent Transport Workers Organisation Rai.

Yesterday, they announced the strike for today in Kathmandu Valley following a violent protest and demonstration in the Balaju-Machhapokhari area of Kathmandu. They said that they had to resort to strike due to the misbehavior by traffic police inside the Kathmandu Valley.

FNCCI organised protest agitation in Gongabu Buspark area on Monday, putting forth 10-point demand, including reduction in the traffic felony penalty. Incident of vandalism and arson were also reported in the course of the agitation. Likewise, the protestors have stolen the mobile phones from the shops run in the business complex.

The protestors also torched temporary police beat located at Balaju Chowk, apart from looting a mobile shop nearby.