Palpa/Bardiya, July 18:

Vehicular movement will resume in Palpa and adjoining districts from tomorrow. An agreement to operate vehicles was reached at an all-party meeting held at the initiation of the Palpa district administration office today.

Chief District Officer Shambhu Ghimire said an agreement was reached to provide 45 per cent discount to students on transport fares, free treatment to those injured in clashes, compensation to owners of vandalised buses and release detained transport workers. Vehicles remained off the roads in Palpa and adjoining districts today as students, demanding 45 per cent discount on transport fares, continued to stage protests.

However, private vehicles carrying patients and ambulances were allowed to ply. Earlier in the day, Srinagar transport entrepreneurs’ committee and transport workers organised rallies and handed over a memorandum to Chief District Officer of Palpa Shambhu Ghimire. In the memorandum, they have demanded the release of nine transport workers detained during protests on Sunday and yesterday.

Some shops and factories were opened in Tansen and adjoining areas. The agitating students continued protest rallies throughout the day. Srinagar transport entrepreneurs’ committee said it would launch fresh protests from tomorrow if detained workers were not released.

The committee demanded release of detained transport workers, payment of compensation to transporters for vandalism in Srinagar transport entrepreneurs’ committee office and its branch office and free treatment for injured students and workers.

The transport strike has hit life in Arghakhanchi and Gulmi districts as well.

Seeking 45 per cent discount on transport fares, students have been enforcing a transport strike in Bardiya since yesterday.

The agitating students have vandalised half a dozen vehicles for defying the bandh. President of the Nepal Students’ Union Bardiya Kamal Regmi said five vehicles were vandalised yesterday and one today. The strike has crippled life in Bardiya.