A pressure group demanding construction of regional international airport in Pokhara, has announced shutdown strike including halt of flights to and from Pokhara for August 31 and September 1 on Tuesday.

Pressure group coordinator Krishna Mohan Shrestha said they were compelled to announce strike after the government turned a deaf ear to their demands. He also informed that the transportation means of emergency services such as the vehicles belonging to police, water tanker, fire brigade vehicles and ambulance will be allowed for operation during the strike.

Tuesday's meeting of pressure group announced strike accusing the government of neglecting its demands.

Though the government has formed a five-member team under the coordination of a joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Civil Aviation to hold talks, the pressure group has demanded that minister-level panel should be formed for the talks. nepalnews.com