Pokhara, February 5 Representatives of the existing transport committees in Pokhara today obstructed and vandalised vehicles belonging a new committee in violation of existing laws, which prohibit syndicate system in the transport sector. Bindhyabasini Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee had planned to start its services with three modern 32-seat buses from today morning. The committee also plans to add a dozen more buses in a day or two. However, representatives of Pokhara Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee, among others, disrupted and vandalised one of its vehicles at Privhvichowk. Their attempt to obstruct vehicular movements across the city was, however, foiled by the police. Commenting on the issue, Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Mainali of Kaski defended the right of the new transport committee to operate its vehicles. “No one can impose syndicate system in the transport sector,” said Mainali. Over the same issue, Pokhara Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee and Taxi Entrepreneurs’ Committee did not operate their vehicles today, objecting to the authorities’ decision to allow route permit to the new transport committee. Earlier, representatives of Pokhara Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee had vandalised Gandaki Transportation Management Office over the issue on Thursday. Police had arrested one of the representatives on vandalism charges. Bindhyabasini Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee had tried to start bus service in the city about three years ago, but had failed to do so after existing transport committees protested. Bindhyabasini Bus Committee chairperson Sama Bahadur Gurung said, “It’s a free market and I have the right to operate my vehicles anywhere in the country.” Pokhara Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee secretary Amrit Sharma protested the permission granted to the new committee. “Anyone with the token is entitled to run their vehicles, but the authorities should have granted permission to the new committee at least by studying the capacity and condition of the roads as well as availability of passengers,” he reasoned. “We have been running 250 microbuses and over two dozen taxies in the city currently. What will be the condition if more buses ply here?” he questioned. He also warned of bringing vehicular movement in the city to a standstill from Saturday if the decision is not annulled within a couple of days.