70 night entrepreneurs held, at least 10 hurt

Kathmandu, September 24:

With tight security in place, the Valley bandh called today by Nepal Night Business Entrepreneurs’ Association (NNBEA) in association with Nepal Restaurant Entrepreneurs’ Association (NREA) had a partial impact on the Valley.

Few educational institutions and business houses remained closed at different parts of the city while the agitators disturbed vehicular movement at some parts including Thamel and Gongabu.

The association has been demanding authorities to end the ongoing crackdown on night restaurants, draft necessary laws to regulate the restaurants and allow them to continue their businesses in the night.

According to Sameer Gurung, NNBEA president, some 70 agitators were arrested today

from different parts of the Valley while the agitators vandalised over five vehicles.

Three vehicles were vandalised Durbar Marga and two at Thamel.

Due to the agitation, traffic at Thamel and Gongabu was disturbed for a few hours.

Gurung said the strike could not be a success as planned due to police crackdown. “Hundreds of policemen were deployed at every nook and cranny of the city to foil the protests,” he said.

He added that over 10 protesters were injured in clashes with the police.

He said they would meet with the officials of the National Human Rights Commission tomorrow.

President of NREA Manoj KC said the agitators would come up with a fresh protest plan, as the government did not heed to their demands.