KATHMANDU: Police today have arrested two drivers from Nagdhunga check post in Kathmandu Valley on the charges of misusing the vehicle permit.
The team of police deployed by the Metropolitan Police Circle Thankot and Metropolitan Police Range, Nagdhunga arrested Suryakiran Karmacharya, 37, of Kohalpur Municipality-2 in Banke district and Lok Bahadur Khatri, 31, of Godawari-1 of Kailali district.
Karmacharya, who was driving the bus (Na 5 Kha 2285) coming to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj and Khattri, who was driving the bus (Na 6 Kha 1340) heading towards Kathmandu from Kailali, were held after they were found carrying passengers to the capital using the vehicle permit issued by the respective District Administration Offices (DAO) for essential service during the ongoing lockdown.
Karmacharya was involved in taking the Nepalis returning from India to their respective DAO as the government allowed the vehicles for essential services and supplies during the nationwide lockdown ordered since March 24 to contain the spread of COVID-19. He was learnt to have used the vehicle permit issued by the DAP, Banke.
Similarly, Khatri was found to have brought 12 passengers from Kailali, charging them exorbitant fair. He had used the vehicle pass issued by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in Kathmandu for its official business, according to DSP Ghanashyam Shrestha.
Since the government decided to ease lockdown since June 15 to reopen economic activities, the private vehicles have been plying the road on an even-odd number basis. The public vehicles are, however, yet to be permitted for regular operation.
The driver duo, amid these circumstances, were learnt to have capitalized on the vehicle permit to make quick and easy money. Police have impounded their vehicles and have sent the driver duo to the DAO, Kathmandu for the necessary action, informed DSP Shrestha.
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