Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, June 3:

Vehicles stayed off the roads and bazaars remained shut in many of the districts on the third day of the three-day Maoist-called transportation strike. In Pokhara, the strike passed peacefully. Except for the rickshaws and cycles, vehicles were not seen on the roads. Though the government and non-government offices remained open, people thronging the offices were few. Security forces remained alert in the main parts of the town. No untoward incident occurred, said district police office, Kaski. According to our Tanahun reporter, schools and factories remained shut, but the bazaars were open. Reports from Nepalgunj said life in Banke district came to a halt. Fewer number of ambulances were seen on the roads. As such patients were left stranded.

Phula Ram Tharu of Baijapur VDC, suffering from typhoid, could not reach the hospital as there were no vehicles around to take him. However, rickshaws gave some respite to travellers. No casualty was reported, said our reporter quoting district police office, Nepalgunj.

The story was the same in Ruapandehi, Ramechhap particularly in district headquarters Manthali. In Bhairahawa, schools remained open but the attendance was low. In Bara, vehicles did not ply on Mahendra highway sector, passenger buses did not ply on Birgunj-Kalaiya road sector. Air service was also affected in the district. No vehicles were seen on either Biratnagar or Birgunj roads. A cycle of opening and closing of shops was followed throughout the day in Birgunj.