Kathmandu, December 20:

Six student unions and six youth organisations, citing the government’s failure to

implement the reduced transportation fare, today jointly announced to launch a protest programme beginning tomorrow.

“We will begin protest programmes on Sunday and take action against the obstinate transport entrepreneurs from December 24,” said Jeevan Gautam, president of All Nepal National Free Students’ Union-Unified while addressing a press conference here today. He said the youths and students might be involved in vandalising or torching the public vehicles, which

don’t implement the government-announced transportation fare. “We might even resort to call on transportation strike if the status quo continued,” he said.

Gautam said the transport entrepreneurs told the representatives of the student unions and youths in a meeting held on Friday that they would never implement the fare fixed by the government. “They have openly challenged the government decision. Since the government is doing nothing, it’s our duty as responsible citizens to raise voice against those defying laws,” Gautam added.

The youths and students have planned to organise an awareness campaign tomorrow, informing the people about the transportation fares through loud speakers throughout the nation and seeking solidarity to enforce the law, according to the student union. The campaign, led by the presidents of all 12 student unions and youth bodies, will start at 2 pm from Ratna Park in the capital .

They will meet the Home Minister and Chief District Officers on Monday to pressure the government to implement the legal fare. The youths and students will monitor the public vehicles on Tuesday and start taking action against those enlisted for breaching the rule from December 24.

Gautam admitted to the possibility of confrontation with the transportation entrepreneurs and workers. He said their aim was only to implement the rules.

The 12 agitating organisations affiliated to different political parties, include Young Communist League and All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union -Revolutionary, ANNFSU-Unified and All Nepal Democratic Youth Association, ANNFSU and Democratic National Youth Federation, Nepal Revolutionary Students’ Association and Nepal Revolutionary Youth Association, Nepal National Students’ Federation and Nepal National Youth Federation, and Nepal Students Forum and Nepal Youth Forum.