POKHARA, Feb 16: Although the government permitted a new transportation committee to operate three buses in Pokhara city, existing transportation entrepreneurs vandalized them on Tuesday.
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Following the incident, the police arrested Pokhara Bus Transportation Entrepreneurs' Committee Treasurer Pabitramani Adhikari and General Secretary Devi Prasad Kuikel on the charge of vandalism.
On Tuesday morning, supporters of Pokhara Bus Transportation Entrepreneurs' Committee vandalized the buses belonging to Bindhayawasini Bus Transportation Entrepreneurs' Committee as the buses stood in queue to leave for their destination from Chhorepatan. The entire episode unfolded right before the police, according to the eyewitness.
Two weeks ago, Gandaki transportation management office had issued route permit to Bindhyawasini.
Even though Pokhara Bus Transportation Entrepreneurs' Committee has started to halt the operation of new bus services, the local administration has taken no action against the syndicate supporters or to clear the obstructions posed by them.
Chief District Officer (CDO) Hari Mainali responded merely by saying that actions would be taken as per the existing laws.
“Let's see. First we'll find out whether they were involved in vandalism. Then we'll take actions as per the laws,” CDO Mainali told Republica.
But CDO Mainali gave no clear answers when asked why the new buses with legal permits were not allowed to operate in Pokhara.
Two weeks ago, the police had also arrested four persons on the charge of obstructing buses belonging to Bindhyawasini. But they were released the same evening.
The inaction of the local administration against syndicate supporters has helped the monopoly of existing bus entrepreneurs take hold.
Meanwhile, the members of old bus entrepreneurs said that they would not allow the operation of new buses at any cost.
Issuing a press statement, Chairperson Basant Pradhan of Gandaki Dhaulagiri Public Transportation Coordination Committee said that they would organize protest against the new permit and obstruct the buses in the city.
Locals have alleged the administration of supporting the old committee and enabling the syndicate. “The passengers have the rights to get better transportation services,” Consumers' Forum Kaski Chairperson Kapil Koirala said.
