Drivers of passenger bus operating in Koshi Highway have brought their service to a grinding halt on Friday in protest against a court decision to falsely prosecute a fellow driver.
Drivers of passenger bus operating in Koshi Highway have brought their service to a grinding halt on Friday in protest against a court decision to falsely prosecute a fellow driver. Due to the sudden announcement of the strike, thousands of passengers, travelling along the route, have been left stranded at the bus park.
The drivers resorted to the strike after a court here sent driver Ganesh Bhandari to custody in an accident case. A passenger died after falling from the door of a moving bus driven by Bhandari at Dhankuta two months ago.
The protesters claimed that Bhandari was sent to custody even after paying a compensation amount of Rs 400,000 to the victim’s next of kin. They halted the bus service citing lack of security to drivers.
According to Koshi Police Chief Senior Superintendent of Police Gyan Bikram Shah, a meeting of Chief District Officer, Police Administration, transport entrepreneurs, transport workers and drivers is due to take place to resolve the situation.
He added that efforts will be made to resume the bus service as everyone should comply with the court’s decision. Transport entrepreneurs’ organisations in the eastern districts have supported the agitation led by Nepal Transport Workers Association, Bhojpur. Mahesh Rai, ticket counter in-charge for the route, said that they will not resume traffic until the driver is released.
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