Vehicular movement in most parts of eastern Nepal has come to a grinding halt on Tuesday due to a strike called by transport operators of the region.

The transporters have demanded that the government fulfill their 10-point demand if the transportation service is to resumed.

No vehicles were seen plying on the main and inner roads in Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha and Janakpur zones while the East-West Highway traversing through it wore a deserted look since today morning.

This is the first time after the Constituent Assembly election that transportation system in eastern Nepal came to a grinding halt.

Issuing a statement on Monday, the joint struggle committee of around half a dozen transport operators demanded fulfillment of 10-point demands which include guarantee of security to vehicles and the operators, proper investigation of road accidents, compensation to owners of vehicles burnt or vandalised during agitations, withdrawal of hike in fuel prices and implementation of the agreement done between the government and transport operators last year, among others. They warned that they would be compelled to wage a nationwide strike if their demands are not met immediately.

A week ago four vehicles belonging to transport operators of Mechi zone were seized after one Yuddharaj Rai of Ramitekhol-2, Morang died after falling down from the roof of a bus. The locals had demanded compensation of 15 lakh rupees to the family of Rai, but the transport operators said they couldn’t give such a hefty compensation amount and launched a strike. A day later transport operators of Sagarmatha, Janakpur and Koshi also expressed solidarity to this strike and stopped plying their vehicles in the region.

However, reports said that the transport operators have allowed long-distance vehicles to ply on the highways without any disruption. nepalnews.com ag May 13 08