Ilam, February 6:

No sooner had the Federal Limbuwan State Council (FLSC) withdrawn its week-long bandh today, than the drivers and workers declared the Mechi Highway bandh today.

They shut the highway demanding compensation to six vehicles vandalised by FLSC cadres during the bandh on January 31 and February 1, action against those behind vandalism and guarantee of security on the highway. Bandh callers link with the Mechi drivers’ association, Nepal Transport Free Workers’ Organisation, Nepal Transport Workers’ Association, Mechi Yatayat Bhalai Kosh, Mechi Taxi Family and Kanchan Taxi Family have obstructed the highway since early morning today.

Earlier, the FLSC called off its strike after police agreed to free its 12 cadres within 24 hours. The FLSC had called the transport strike when police held Ganesh Angdebe and Sharan Fago for “collecting” export tax on January 31.