Kathmandu, July 23:

Strike to go on after brief respite.

Agitating students today called off public transport strike from 2 pm till 5 am tomorrow keeping in view the historical swearing-in of the first President and Vice-President. The strike affected the people as a few public vehicles plied.

The agitating students clashed with police at Sallaghari, Chabahil and Swoyambhu.

According to Ramesh Malla, treasurer of the All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary, eight students were injured when police confronted students, who were trying to disrupt the movement of public vehicles in Swoyambhu and Chabahil.

Three students were injured in Chabahil while five students of Acme Engineering College were injured in Swoyambhu.

Those injured in Swoyambhu are Sujan Bagale, Min Kumar Bhatta, Jeevan Thapa, Binod Neupane and Ramesh Kumar Dhakal. The injured students were discharged after first aid.

Talks held between student leaders and secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management in the afternoon to settle students’ demand concerning fares failed.

Students have been saying that a flat fare of Rs 12, regardless of the distance, is unacceptable. They have been demanding that there should be separate fares for 2, 4 and 6 kilometres.

Talks held between representatives of eight student unions and Minister of Labour and Transport Management Ramesh Lekhak were also inconclusive.

President of the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union Thakur Gaire said that the strike would continue tomorrow.

“We will bring public and government-owned vehicles to a halt. The strike is the outcome

of the irresponsible attitude of government towards our demands,” Gaire added.