Students' protests bring Kathmandu transportation into a standstill
Kathmandu's transportation came to a virtual standstill for the third day Friday as college students continued their protest against the recent hike in public transport fares and fuel prices by blocking traffic and attacking several government vehicles.
Scenes pretty much similar to Thursday were witnessed in Kathmandu as students affiliated with All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) - which is close to Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) - rampaged through the streets erecting roadblocks and pelting stones at government vehicles. The protests caused long traffic jams in various parts of the city. At some places there were also clashes between police and protestors, but there are no reports of serious injuries.
The students said they would continue with their strike until the government withdraws fuel price hike and decides to give 50 percent concession to students on transport fares.
The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management had yesterday decided to hike transport fares by 25 percent for all types of transportation and routes and said that the students would enjoy a discount of 43 percent on increased fares. nepalnews.com ag June 20 08
