Effects of the ‘Biplav’ nationwide shutdown [Photos]

KATHMANDU: NOV. 16 – Passengers have been suffering since this morning due to the Nepal nationwide shutdown organized by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ led CPN (Maoist) demanding the return of the price hike in petroleum products.

Passengers who have come to Kathmandu especially after traveling long distances have suffered in the morning. Passengers arriving in Kathmandu from different districts are stranded in different parts of Kathmandu.

Passengers stranded at Kalanki, New Bus Park, Balkhu, Koteshwor and other intersections have not been able to reach the destination even after waiting for public transport.

Police have been mobilized in various places to reduce the impact of the shutdown. Police presence is heavy at the crossroads.

Police also said that public transport was running intermittently. Although the number of public vehicles is less, private vehicles are running normally.

The shutdown has also affected Pokhara. The streets have been deserted since morning. Businesses are not open. Long and short-distance vehicles are stopped.

Biplav cadres have been deployed in the squares to close it. Police have arrested two activists this morning. CPN-Kaski District Member and Office Secretary Kaji Gurung and Akhil (Revolutionary) Prithvinarayan Campus Committee Vice-Chairman Yubaraj were arrested from Chhorepatan. They have burnt tires in various chowks and also staged protests.

Ten cadres have been arrested from Tanahun. At around 5:30 am in the morning, the party’s District Secretary Atom, Byas Nagar in charge Om Vikram Pantal and other leaders and activists were arrested from Damauli Traffic Chowk. The CPN (Maoist) has demanded his immediate release saying that he was arrested amid preparations for a peaceful shutdown.

The effect of the shutdown is seen to be normal in Eastern Nepal. The shutdown in Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari has had little effect. The industrial sector has not been much affected. Public transport is running.