Transport workers call indefinite strike

Siraha, October 1:

Enraged at the police manhandling of a transport worker, the All Nepal Transport Workers’ Union (ANTWU) and different transport workers’ organisation today staged a chakka jam on Mahendra highway and district headquarters Siraha. They have also called an indefinite transport strike.

The workers staged demonstrations from 10.30 am outside the district police office and at Chauharwa chowk demanding withdrawal of the case against the transport worker and action against the police personnel concerned. They also blocked traffic and shut down the bazaar and all educational institutions. Passenger buses were left starnded after the workers went on the warpath. ANTWU Siraha president Mohan Kumar Das said police beat up transport helper Shyam Yadav of Madar Labtoli without reason last Thursday night and slapped a case on him. Das said transport services would remain halted until the issue is settled.

Meanwhile, Siraha SP Mingmar Lama said an intoxicated Yadav had grappled with assistant sub-inspector Kiran Prasai and tried to snatch the latter’s service weapon. Yadav was arrested and a case under the public offences act was filed against him, said SP Lama. He added that the transport workers’ unions’ representatives were called for talks, but they did not come.