[With an objective to put pressure on the parties for drafting new constitution in time, NEFIN has been organising a month-long protest programmes. Today’s transportation strike was the final protest against the parties’ inability to continue the constitution drafting process even months after extending the tenure of Constituent Assembly. ]
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| Police arrest the protesters at Satdobato in Lalitpur on Sunday, August 15, 2010 |
With an objective to pressure the parties for drafting new constitution in time, NEFIN has been organising a month-long protest programmes. Today’s transportation strike was the final protest against the parties’ inability to continue the constitution drafting process even months after extending the tenure of Constituent Assembly.
According to NEFIN, around 200 protestors were arrested from different parties of the Valley. They include NEFIN vice-chairmen Norbu Ghale and Indira Jimmi Yakkha, general secretary Aang Kaji Sherpa, secretary Kumar Blon, treasurer Dandu Sherpa, chairperson of Nepal Indigenous Women Federation Chandra Kala Gurung, chairman of Nepal Indigenous Students Federation Nabin Limbu, Vice-chairman Rohit Gurung, chairman of Nepal Tamang Ghedung Dhan Bahadur Tamang and general secretary of Gurung National Council Resham Gurung. Many of the arrested have been released.
Only a few motorbikes and vehicles were seen plying in the Valley. A large number of people had reached to their destinations on foot. Most of the schools and colleges of the Valley remained closed, while students appearing in the supplementary SLC examination had to bear the brunt of the transport strike.
Issuing a press statement, NEFIN chairman Raj Kumar Lekhi condemned the government’s action against the indigenous people who were staging peaceful protests. He demanded immediate and unconditional release of all arrested during today’s strike. The federation has also demanded treatment to those injured in the protests.
Addressing the gathering at Tinkune to mark the conclusion of the day’s strike, Lekhi said the government had suppressed the peaceful protest of indigenous people and misbehaved with women protesters. NEFIN would continue its protest programmes, said Lekhi. He said the parties had been staging a drama to elect prime minister at a time when they had to focus on drafting the new constitution. “This proves that the parties do not want the constitution,” he said.
Lekhi added that the meeting of NEFIN along with the chiefs of all the ethnic organisations scheduled for tomorrow morning would come up with strident protest plans.
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POLICE DETAIN FORMER IGP
DURING STRIKE:
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| Former IGP Hem B. Gurung |
A police team deployed for security during the transport strike arrested the former chief of police from Macchapokhari of Balaju in the outskirts of the capital while trying to obstruct the free flow of traffic.
Gurung, who also belongs to an indigenous community, is being currently held at the Balaju Police station.
Police have said some 80 protestors have been detained during today's strike for violating law and order during their demonstrations.
