Itahari, December 5:

The indefinite transport strike called by transport workers halted traffic in different parts of Mechi and Koshi zones today.

Putting forth their six-point demands to the local administration, the transport workers said that they were compelled to launch indefinite transport strike from today saying that

the local administration was not doing anything to control insecurity, lootings and forceful collection of taxes in Saptakoshi flood-affected areas.

“We were already affected by the Saptakoshi floods. Now we are being looted every day. But the administration isn’t taking any action against them,” Gauri Lama, coordinator of Saptakoshi Flood Affected Transport Workers’ Struggle Committee, said, adding, “The indefinite transport strike was called by a meeting of transport workers in Mechi and Koshi zones.”

The agitating transport workers obstructed vehicular movement in Itahari from early morning. They also halted traffic in Inaruwa, Khanar, Duhabi and Dharan in Sunsari; Biratnagar, Gachhiya, Biratchowk, Pathari and Urlabari in Morang; and Damak, Birtamod and Kakarvitta in Jhapa. They also vandalised six tempos in Charkosejhadi along the Koshi Highway. The workers demonstrated by wielding sticks in their hands.

Some 1000 passengers were stranded in Haripur, the local administration said.

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the East-West Highway in Itahari because of the transport strike.