Valley denizens largely defy general strike; 106 arrested
Kathmandu, August 16
The public and transport entrepreneurs, continued with their daily business in Kathmandu Valley, largely defying the general strike called by the CPN-Maoist-led 33 parties and the nine-party alliance of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal.
Special security arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incident during the shutdown. T
he Valley showed mixed response to the ‘Nepal bandh’ call given by the fringe parties on the issue of the proposed draft of the new constitution.
Only a few shopkeepers pulled down their shutters in major commercial areas as many were not ready to face the brunt of the bandh time and again. However, the impact of bandh was visible in some parts of the Valley.
Riot police personnel were deployed in good strength at major intersections, including Kalanki, Kalimati, Koteshwor, Sundhara, New Baneshwor, Maitighar, Babar Mahal, Tripureshwor, Jawalakhel, Kupandole and Bhaktapur with arrest-at-sight orders. Public and private vehicles, mainly motorcycles plied the roads in greater numbers compared to past bandhs, thanks to the preparedness and vigilance on the part of the police.
Despite strict security arrangements, bandh enforcers vandalised a microbus in Dhapasi Height, a taxi in Koteshwor, a bus in Tinkune and another bus in Sinamangal. As many as 106 demonstrators, including four women, were arrested from different parts of the Valley as they tried to disrupt life and forced shops and businesses to shut down in some places. Of them, 98 were held from Kathmandu and eight from Lalitpur.
Police arrested many agitators who had fanned across the capital city to enforce a strike, facilitating people to carry on with their daily business. However, academic institutions, major marketplaces, factories and industries remained shut due to fear of retribution.
“People and transport entrepreneurs have been annoyed with the recurring bandhs and should defy it.
At the same time, the government is supposed to ensure security of lives and property and take legal action against bandh enforcers. All political parties and interest groups should learn a lesson from today’s bandh and opt for other means of peaceful protest,” a cabbie said.
