No vehicles plied on the East-West Highway and schools were also affected by the strike as students could not reach schools for lack of transport services. The banda callers obstructed vehicle movement by placing their vehicles on the road at Pulchowk, Aanptari and Ratnanagar of the district. They also vandalized two motorcycles in Narayanghat for defying the strike. [break]
Shops in Narayanghat remained closed, but factories and shops in eastern Chitwan were not affected.
Transport entrepreneurs called the strike to protest the attack on transport entrepreneur Ashok Pokharel by an armed group on Thursday. They have demanded strong action against the guilty and security for transport entrepreneurs.
Pokharel was critically injured after an armed group attacked him with khukuris at Lilachowk in Narayanghat on Thursday evening. He has been taken to Kathmandu for further treatment.
Khadga Gurung, a transport entrepreneur, informed that they would hold an emergency meeting of transport entrepreneurs on Friday and announce more protests from Saturday.
Meanwhile, local administration officials said they plan to hold talks with the transport entrepreneurs.
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