‘Obstruction of highway for fulfilment of demands unjustifiable’

By Diwakar Pokhrel,Deukhuri, July 30: A few weeks ago, family members and relatives of an individual who died during treatment at the Rapti Academy of Health Sciences obstructed the Lamahi-Tulsipur section to mount pressure on the institution.

On Friday, members of the Akhil Nepal Kishan Mahasangh, a farmers' wing of CPN-UML, reached the East-West Highway and Lamahi-Tulsipur road section in Dang to obstruct the roads for two hours.

The goal was to pile pressure on the government so that it would work more effectively in the prevention, control and treatment of lumpy skin disease in cattle. They also demanded easy availability of fertilisers and seeds to the farmers.

The commuters affected by the obstruction on Friday voiced their objection that the step to restrict vehicular movement was outright wrong. On the other hand, the protestors could be seen obstructing the road and clicking pictures with a smile on their faces.

"Agitated individuals are angry at the government. But I believe obstructing roads will not affect the government, but innocent commuters. Travellers are getting affected for no reason. The obstruction of roads should be stopped," said Prem Oli, a passenger en-route to Pokhara waiting for the obstruction to clear in Dang on Friday.

When the affected commuters raised their voices against the obstruction, locals informed that a tense situation was created.

The voices of the people led the protestors to call off their obstruction from two hours to half an hour.

While the trend of Nepal bandh has declined over the years, highway obstructions for different demands have not come to an end.

Moreover, when any incident happens, be it political or social or personal, hundreds of individuals representing different organisations or parties spring to action to obstruct vehicular movement, affecting thousands of commuters.  

Transport operators informed that many passengers expressed frustration when roads get obstructed suddenly because of the uncertainty resulting the broken schedule. 

"Hindering the travel of innocent citizens is an immoral act on its own and so unjustifiable. There is a need to penalise protestors for affecting the lives of innocent individuals. There are many ways to mount pressure on the government of a federal, democratic and republic country without impacting the public," said Dilliraj Khanal, a social activist from Lamahi Municipality of Dang.