POKHARA: Despite ongoing talks with the federal government, the agitation by public transport operators will not be suspended immediately, according to the Public Transport Protection Central Struggle Committee.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Committee Chair Bijay Bahadur Swar clarified that the movement will continue as planned, urging transport operators, workers, self-employed individuals, and staff not to be misled by reports suggesting otherwise. The protest includes a program of keeping public vehicles off the roads and parked in garages nationwide.
The statement refuted what it called misleading news disseminated by certain media outlets, accusing them of attempting to weaken the protest. “While talks with the federal government are ongoing, our agitation remains unchanged,” the statement reads.
Public transport entrepreneurs launched the protest after the Gandaki Province government introduced new regulations related to ride-sharing services. The committee has expressed dissatisfaction over policies, taxes, insurance provisions, and administrative hurdles within the transport sector, prompting a phase-wise protest movement.
The committee had earlier announced that, starting from May 31, all public vehicles would be kept off the roads across the country. Drivers, conductors, workers, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals have all joined the movement.
According to the committee, the protest evolved into a ‘stay-at-home’ campaign after previous agreements with the government were not implemented. It issued a public clarification following media reports claiming the protest had ended or would be paused due to ongoing dialogue.
“Colleagues across the country should not fall for any kind of confusion — this struggle will only grow stronger,” said Chair Swar in the statement.
The committee also expressed serious dissatisfaction with the Gandaki provincial government for failing to implement agreements made with the federal government. It warned that if the agreements are not honored, the protest will escalate further.
“The protest is likely to intensify from tomorrow,” the statement adds.
The committee said the details of the protest programs and past agreements with the federal government will soon be made public through a joint press conference.
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