Jhapa, December 10:

Normal life in Jhapa, Taplejung, Ilam and Panchthar was halted as the transport workers in the east continued the indefinite transport strike from today.

Five organisations of the transport workers, stating that the government failed to ensure security to them, organised the indefinite transport strike in the Mechi zone from Wednesday. The closure affected and paralysed all the educational institutions, factories and bazaars.

On November 28, a cadre of the Pallo Kirant Limbuwan National Front thrashed taxi driver Prem Rai in Ilam’s Thuwakhola while he was heading to Taplejung from Birtamod. The transport workers’ organisations — Nepal Transport Free Workers’ Union, All Nepal Transport Union, Nepal Transport Workers’ Union, Mechi Zonal Workers’ Welfare Fund, Mechi Drivers’ Union jointly organised the strike as a protest in the entire zone.

The workers’ unions have asked the government for the fulfillment of five-point demands. Their demands among others include stopping forcible collection of donation, and security guarantee to workers and passengers.