Kathmandu, June 8:

The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) warned the government today that it will launch decisive protests if its demands are not met in a week.

The demands include distribution of compensation for victims of accidents as per agreements reached between the government and the FNNTE on January 22, declaration of the highways as a zone of peace, formulation and implementation of the Road Act.

The transport body has also urged the government to arrest those involved in the destruction of vehicles, compensate owners of the damaged vehicles and declare the transport sector a sick industry.

“We have given a seven-day ultimatum to the Home Ministry to implement the agreement reached on January 22. We will organise decisive protests if our demands are not met within the given time,” Dinesh Bhandari, the FNNTE president, said at a press meet.

“We will also demand peace and security in the transport sector and seek the resignation of the Home Minister,” he said, adding, “We will keep vehicles in garages and hit the streets.”

Krishna Prasad Adhikary, general secretary, FNNTE, said, “The transportation sector has become a victim of bandhs and other protest programmes.

“A huge investment has been made in the transport sector, but the state has not been able to provide peace and security,” Adhikary said.Bhim Tamang, treasurer of the All Nepal Transport Labour Association, said, “A new Labour Act should be formulated to safeguard the rights of the labourers.” He called on the state to guarantee the security of the labourers.