Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 16:

Almost all of the Valley’s private petrol pumps remained closed for the second day today in response to the call of the four student unions and four youth bodies affiliated to the four political parties, against the recent price hike.

Petrol pumps operated by the Royal Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the Sajha remained open today. Yesterday, 16 pumps were open throughout the Valley. The protesting students had announced a two-day (Jan 15-16) closure of the petrol pumps. The unions have vowed to continue their protest until the government withdraws the price hike.

On the eve of the Valley bandh called by the four parties, their women wings today organised a 15-minute chakkajam at Ratnapark.

Similarly, the Tarun Dal — NC’s youth wing — organised a torch rally from Bhugol Park to Sorhakutte. The participants of the rally chanted anti-government slogans. Meanwhile, the joint meeting of the four student unions at NSU offices announced they would hold a whistle rally at Ratnapark at 4 pm on January 18. The meeting also announced to organise a joint meeting of the four student unions and the four youth bodies’ valley committees at Balmiki Campus tomorrow.

The meeting has endorsed the four parties’ call for a Valley bandh for tomorrow.