Transport entrepreneurs stage protest in Ramechhap

Ramechhap, June 14

Ramechhap district headquarters has been tense for the past three days after local transport entrepreneurs hit the streets protesting the ban on the operation of cargo vehicles above the capacity of 10 tonnes and passenger vehicles with over 18 seats on BP Highway following the Supreme Court’s mandamus.

Earlier, on Wednesday night, a clash had occurred between local transport entrepreneurs and police at Manthali after police allegedly released vehicles heading towards Dolakha while still blocking passage of vehicles en route to Ramechhap.

Four persons, including a journalist, were injured when police charged batons on the demonstrators. They are being treated at Tamakoshi Cooperatives Hospital.

Transport entrepreneurs took out a motorcycle rally in Manthali today. Mayor Ramesh Kumar Basnet of Manthali Municipality, former chair of Manthali Chamber of Commerce and Industry  Pashupati Bahadur Khadka, among others, had addressed the protest rally at  Devkota Chowk.

Meanwhile, following the ban on the operation of heavy cargo vehicles, a shortage of daily necessities, including food items such as oil and rice, has surfaced in the district of late. Amidst the scarcity, prices have gone up.

Media organisations have condemned excessive use of force by police.