SANKHUWASABHA: Transport workers blocked the Hile entry point of Shankhuwasabha district today to protest the police high-handedness. Protesters alleged that the police had thrashed and detained five of their colleagues for no reason. Transport workers affiliated to the Nepal Transportation Independent Workers Union and Koshi Hilly Taxi Entrepreneurs, Dhankuta, have announced an indefinite blockade of the entry point.

Ganesh Thapa, district chairman of the association said they would continue the blockade until the police released the arrested workers. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded in Hile Bazaar as the workers did not allow any vehicle to ply through the entry point.

More than 150 vehicles enter via the entry point on a normal day. Passengers heading to Khotang, Bhojpur and Solukhumbhu have been affected due to the blockade. Hile Bazaar of Dhankuta is the business hub of Bhojpur, Khotang and Solukhumbu districts.