Bhaktapur, July 25:

Four transporters’ organisations today called a transport strike on the Araniko Highway and vandalised 19 vehicles for “defying the strike” in Bhaktapur.

At least four people were injured in the incident. Four persons were arrested for involvement in vandalism, police said.

Bhaktapur Minibus Sewa Samiti, Madhya Upatayaka Yatayat Samiti, Purano Bato Minibus Sewa Samiti and Naya Bato Minibus Sewa Samiti halted traffic in Bhaktapur district for three hours demanding that their seven-point demand be met. Agitating transport workers vandalised 19 vehicles in Sallaghari, Dubakot and Thimi, causing damage worth Rs 6 lakh, police said.

Among other things, the transporters’ organisations are demanding a smooth supply of petroleum products and way out of the row over the syndicate system.

BMSS treasurer Ghana Pyaka said transporters had been forced to garage their vehicles due to the lack fuel. “Of 500 vehicles that used to ply the Bhaktapur route on normal times, 50 are plying and the remaining vehicles are queuing up around petrol pumps for refuelling.” “We would give continuity to the strike if transporters’ demands were not met,” Pyaka said. Due to the shortage of fuel, public vehicles could ply for only 10 days a month, he said.