KATHMANDU: The police today resorted to using force to disperse the protesters enforcing bandh at traffic intersection in Chabahil demanding compensation to victims of Chabahil bus tragedy.

The police arrested five agitators, including the coordinator of the struggle committee, Ram Kumar Rai, when they tried to enforce the bandh.

Riot police dispatched from the Metropolitan Police Sector Bouddha and Metropolitan Police Range Gaushala dispersed the demonstrators as soon as they took to streets at 7.30 am, demanding the compensation.

Traffic in and around the area returned to normalcy following the police intervention.

A joint struggle committee formed by the victims' kin yesterday had announced the traffic blockade in the area from 7 am to 5 pm to pressurise the government and transport entrepreneurs to address their demands.

Three pedestrians were killed when a bus belonging to Swoyambhu Yatayat ran over them at Chabahil on Thursday.

Agitating victims' kin have been demanding Rs 1 million as compensation to each of the victim's family.

They have also demanded that the registration of Swoyambhu Yatayat Entrepreneurs' Association be nullified, counterfeited driving license be checked, action against the driver be taken, cost of treatment of the injured be borne and increasing number of road accidents be controlled.

Meanwhile, Rai, coordinator of the struggle committee, who is in police custody, told The Himalayan Times that they would continue with their agitation until their demands were fulfilled.

He further informed that that they would move on with their bandh programme on Sunday to make the bus operators bow to their demands.