Locals have been staging protests against the government move to revoke its earlier decision to set-up Integrated Administrative Service Centers (IASC) in Bardibas (Mahottari), Chandranigahapur (Rautahat) Hariaun (Sarlahi) and Nijgadh (Bara district) from Monday, obstructing vehicular movement along the East-West highway. Protestors have raised tents in the middle of the roads in that section of the country’s busiest highway.
Four days on, the protest has left thousands of vehicles and travelers stranded in Bardibas in the east and Nijgadh in the west. Normal lives and businesses are paralyzed not just in the districts where protests are being carried out, but also in their immediate neighboring districts.
This is just a case in a point. Highway obstruction has been an almost daily affair in the country, especially after the success of Janaandolan II in April, 2006, despite the fact that the existing laws recognize this as punishable act.
As per the Local Administration Act (Amended in 2064 B.S.), the government can slap at least six months jail time, as well as a fine of up to Rs 10,000, on those obstructing vehicular movement along the highway. In addition, protest organizers are liable to pay damages caused to vehicles during such strikes.
Nevertheless, there are few cases where law enforcement agencies have taken action against such protestors, citing the protests ‘political’ in nature.
Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Singh said they only apprehend people involved in such acts if they receive orders from local administration. “Police have been intervening in such protests if the protestors resort to vandalism,” he said.
DIG Singh said it is good to organize protests for a genuine ‘cause’ in the democratic system, but that everyone should bear in mind not to allow these activities to affect others.
Officials at the Home Ministry said they exercise restraint when it comes to the use of force against such protestors for fear of the situation turning worse. “If the issues of the protests are political in nature, they should be dealt with politically,” said a senior official, preferring to be unnamed. “Otherwise those heading the government should give instruction to use force.”
Officials said it would greatly help maintain law and order should the government take decisions only after consulting the political parties and stakeholders concerned.
Whether the cases of highway obstruction are caused by political party activism is a completely different matter. Such acts must be punished if the existing laws prohibit them. Implementation of existing laws is a must, not just to relieve people from unnecessary nuisances, but also to ensure rule of law in the country, argue lawyers.
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