She and other passengers were summoned to board the bus two in the afternoon. Even though all the passengers were on time, the bus departed for Kathmandu after waiting five hours for police escorting. Despite multiple requests from the passengers, the driver had denied to buzz unless a police team assured to escort the bus. When the bus finally rolled out of the bus station, the passengers sighed with relief without knowing what was waiting ahead in Lalbandi area.
The bus was met with hostile protestors affiliated the agitating Madhesi parties who pelted stones and started hitting it with wooden logs. "The agitators were hurling stones and started to rain stones and beating the bus with wooden staffs. Thanks to the bus driver and his courage in steering the bus away from the crowd, we came out safe and sound from that aggressive mob," said Anjeeta Adhkari while adding that those few moments will remain as the most horrific and terrifying moments of her and 11 years old son who was accompanying her.
Indu Limbu of Shamakoshi, Kathmandu had to go through greater ordeal. Unlike Adhikari, she had to wait for almost 10 days to get bus tickets for Kathmandu from Dharan. And even after 10 days she got tickets through a broker. Even though she too had to pay far more price than the normal fare, she was glad to get the tickets.
"Considering the horrific stories of how buses are attacked during night on the highway, we did not want to travel through bus. But flying was too expensive for me, leaving us with the only option to travel by bus. Traveling at night was the scariest as the thought of getting attacked always lingered in our minds," said Limbu.
The cases of Adhikari and Limbu are just two examples that reflect the troubled times of travelers during this year's Dashain festival. Journeys in and out of Kathmandu, travelers claim were the most risky and discomforting ever.
The prolonged agitation in the Madhes region coupled with the ongoing Indian blockade and the subsequent fuel crisis has worsened the situation further. Shortage of consumable goods in the market and inability to travel for joining loved ones during the festival, rendered this year's Dashain of many sour.
Entire transportation has been hit with the shortage of fuel and the security risks in the restive Madhes region. Pradip Sharma, a bus driver said that it was perilous to drive through the region without getting extras security for buses.
"Government should understand our plight and the risk we are taking in delivering the locals to various destinations. Security should be bolstered in the agitated regions and ensure safe passages for buses and other vehicles to pass through those areas," said Sharma.
Fuel crisis has badly hit normal lives across the country and the situation is worst in the capital. The queue of people lined outside petrol pumps on Wednesday was also no less different than the rush hours before Dashain festival.
"I have heard from friends on social media and in news channels that the government is holding talks with India and China for fetching fuel. Hope its initiative will take a positive turn and end this crisis very soon," said Adhikari.
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