Transport workers block roads in Balaju area

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 14: Three different transport labourer associations demonstrated violently in and around the Balaju area of the Ring Road on Monday afternoon to denounce the unilateral decision to slap heavy fine and take stern actions against those who violate the traffic rules.

The angry demonstrators affiliated to different transport services completely burnt down two police vans at Machhapokhari area.  

In the clash, a Scorpio van with registration Ba 2 Jha 114 of Balaju Police Circle’s in-charge and DSP Rabin Bista was completely burnt. Similarly, they also burnt another Mazda van of Balaju Police Circle with registration number Ba 1 Jha 7224 completely. 

The demonstrators also damaged and pulled out the traffic post at Machhapokhari. The situation remained tense for hours.

Nepal Transport Independent Workers' Organisation, All Nepal Transport Workers' Union and Nepal Transport Workers' Union are protesting against the recent increase in traffic fines and six-month suspension from driving vehicles if the same vehicle violated traffic rules for five times. 

As the protest continued till Monday evening, over hundreds private vehicles came to a standstill for hours. The demonstrators brought their vehicles on the road and left them haphazardly blocking the road, bringing all the vehicular movement to a complete halt.

Against the new rules of the traffic police regarding fines, the transport workers created chaos in the area.

The drivers of the public vehicles said that they blocked the road against the rule that they would not be allowed to drive for six months after being fined for five times. 

As the protest ignited further, the labourers also blocked the areas such as Gongabu and Ring Road. Public vehicles with passengers were parked on the road till late evening on Monday.

Transport professional also supported the movement of labour organisations. Passengers going to their destinations through the route are stranded due to traffic disruption.

They were forced to walk on foot. Nepal Police has been trying to resume traffic in the area. 

The transport labourers have also announced public vehicle strike for Tuesday in the Valley.

Reason for the clash Initially, the transport workers were preparing to make public their protest programme organising a press conference at the Lhotse Mall of New Bus Park. The workers had also issued statement to denounce the protest programme.

Transport workers said that 30 people, including General Manager Sunil Kunwar, Pankaj Malla and Himal Kunwar of Lhotse Multi-Purpose Pvt. Ltd. attacked the workers.

The three transport workers’ associations then decided to stop all vehicles in the valley until their 10-point demands were met.

Spokesperson and SSP Himalaya Shrestha of the Valley Police Office told that two police vehicles were set on fire by the angry transport workers. 

Ministry revokes 1,500 traffic fine  Meanwhile, the traffic fine increased by the traffic police to enforce traffic rules have been scrapped after the protest ensued in the Valley. 

In a meeting held at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management, it was agreed to collect fines according to the Vehicle and Transport Management Act.

The government withdrew the decision to increase fines after transport workers and businessmen protested demanding the annulment of the fines that were increased against the law. 

At a meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry, Keshav Kumar Sharma, it was agreed that the fine will be imposed as per the previous law.