Kathmandu, February 16:

Acute shortage of fuel has hit the transporters hard, but they are in no mood to stage a protest against this shortage, because they know that the government is going through an ordeal.

“Though we are at a critical stage, we are not in a mood to stage a protest at least for a few more days,” Krishna Adhikary, general secretary of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs, said today.

He said the government is facing a tough time and is trying to maintain peace.

Due to the strike at the southern plains, life has become difficult. People are seen waiting in serpentine queues to buy petroleum products, cooking gas and kerosene.

“Unwanted elements are sure to infiltrate and turn peaceful protests into violent ones like in Bhaktapur,” he said, adding that this was not the appropriate time to create problems and disturb the environment for the Constituent Assembly polls.

Ajay Rai, president of the All Nepal Transport Workers’ Association, said the workers have not planned strikes against the government despite the acute fuel shortage.

“Though workers have been putting pressure on the leadership, we will be in a wait-and-watch mode for a few more days,” he said.

He said agitators also attacked vehicles transporting fuel today, adding transport workers fear to supply fuel to the valley.

A week ago, the government had promised to supply sufficient quantity of fuel. The government has failed to keep its promise.