Kathmandu, October 27:

Demanding an end to frequent police interference in the operation of casinos in the Valley, the management and the workers of the casinos today organised an hour-long chakkajam at different intersections of the Valley.

The workers obstructed vehicular movement in Durbarmarg, Jamal, Ratna Park, Ghantaghar, Soaltee Mode, Lazimpat, Maharajgunj, Bouddha, Chabahil and Baneshwor from 10 am. As a part of their protest programme, the workers and management officials of the casinos yesterday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’

In the memorandum, the workers have demanded the government to guarantee the jobs of some 9,000 employees working in different casinos in the Valley. They have also demanded the government to monitor the casinos directly by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation so that it would not disturb tourists visiting the casinos and ensure opportunities for foreign investment and bring and end to police intervention and corruption being promoted by the Home Ministry.

Frequent police interventions were responsible for the decline in the business of casinos which used to be on full swing during the festive season, according to Kalpadip Rai, president of Casino Anna unit of the All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union.

“We have cancelled the chakka jam scheduled for tomorrow keeping in view Tihar. But the Valley bandh has been rescheduled for November 2,” Rai added.