Day II of Gandak strike cripples life in west

Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, January 17:

The second day of the three-day Gandak region transportation strike called by the Maoists opposing the hike on the price of petroleum products had significant effect on the public life today.

The strike called by the Maoist sister organisations including Tumwan Liberation Front, Tharuwan Liberation Society and Tamang Liberation Front affected public life in Kaski, Tanahun, Gorkha, Lamjung, Manang and Syangja of Gandaki zone, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Palpa of Lumbini zone, Chitwan of Narayani zone and Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhadhing of Bagmati zone. The public life was adversely affected today in Pokhara. Passengers were left stranded while businessmen had to shut down their enterprises incurring great loss.

Large number of tourists waiting to go out of Pokhara have been forced to stay back because the Maoists have blocked the Bhupi Sherchan Highway by felling trees.

Life in Tanahun district was also affected by the strike because no vehicles plied on the streets but the main markets in Damauli, Aabukhaireni, Dulegaunda, Khairinitar, Tharpu and Bhimad remained partially open.

Meanwhile, the places like Beshisahar, Bhoteoddar, Sundar bazaar of Lamjung district also remained partially open. Gorkha bazaar, however, was reported to have completely closed.

The strike also crippled life in Baglung, Myagdi and Parwat districts.

In Rupandehi, educational institutions, factories and markets remained closed. No vehicles plied on the streets, it is reported.

No vehicles movements were reported to or from Dhadhing and Nuwakot districts.

The Tribhuwan Rajpath, Prithivi Highway and the Kalu Pande Highway remained deserted throughout the day.

No vehicles plied in Syangja and Nawalparasi districts and educational institutions and industries and markets remained completely shut throughtout the day, it is reported.