Phidim, September 12:

Protesting the vandalism of a night bus at Ranke bazaar in Panchthar last night and the “manhandling” of their colleagues, transport entrepreneurs blocked the Phidim-Birtamod road section of Mechi Highway today.

A gang of drunken local youths had vandalised the night bus when it was about to leave for Kathmandu.

Locals caught Prakash Limbu of Pauwasartap-1, Panchthar, and Bipin Pradhan of Ilam-2 for their involvement in the incident and handed them over to the police. Five miscreants involved in the incident are still at large.

The transport entrepreneurs said the road blockade will continue until their 12-point charter of demands is met. Among other things, the transport entrepreneurs have demanded action against the two miscreants, arrest of the five miscreants and an end to extortion. DSP Mukti Shrestha said the two miscreants had been sued under the public offence act. Dozens of vehicles are stuck at the Ranke bazaar due to the road blockade.