Transporters in Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Makwanpur and Chitwan district have called a vehicle strike to protest against the abduction of Kausal Dahal, treasurer of Narayani Zonal Transport Entrepreneurs’ Association, in Birgunj by the Maoists yesterday.

All long and short route vehicles remain off the road from around 11:00 a.m. Friday in the five districts due to the transporters’ protest, reports said. The protesting transporters have demanded that the Maoists immediately release Dahal and stop harassing them.

The rebels, who have been pressuring the Association to end the syndicate system, abducted Dahal, who is also the in-charge of the syndicate office, from his home in Birgunj yesterday, according to reports. The rebels have been saying that the syndicate system is not in the interest of the service users and local industrialists.

Transporters associated with the Association had gone into the syndicate system four months ago.

Meanwhile, state-run Radio Nepal quoting the acting Chief District Office of Parsa, Hari Krishna Khatiwada, said that efforts were underway to negotiate with the Maoists for Dahal’s release and ask the transporters to resume services.