Vehicles were off the streets all day long due to the strike leaving dozens of passengers stranded in Bhanuchowk, the centre of Dharan. Only private vehicles, motorbikes and rickshaws were allowed to operate.[break]
Police had arrested Raj Kumar Bhujel, Kumar Rai and Yogen Rai, all from Dharan-17, on August 22 for attacking a local youth, Surendra Basyal, with khukuri-knives. Basyal had lodged a complaint against five NTD cadres including Raj Kumar, Kumar and Yogen. Other two cadres are still absconding.
Sujendra Gole, Sunsari district region-5 secretary of NC, said the strike was called as police framed three NTD cadres on ´false´ charges. He also threatened more strikes if police did not free all NTD cadres. “We agree that our cadres should be punished if found guilty,” Gole said. “But, the way police manhandled our cadres before arresting them is condemnable.”
Gole also admitted that NTC called the strike as per NC instructions.
Rajendra Bishta, DSP at Area Police Office (APF) Dharan, said political organizations have been pressurizing them to free the cadres. “We are facing immense pressures every day,” Bishta said.
“But, we cannot release them as a case has already been filed against them.” He also rubbished Gole´s claims of rough treatement of detainees. “We have not beaten any one of them,” he said.
Raj Kumar, Kumar and Yogen had joined NTD only after attacking Basyal. Earlier, when Bashyal was attacked, all of them were active in Limbuwan State Council (LSC), an ethnic outfit, led by Sanjuhang Palungwa. It seems that they switched to NTD for protection from a more powerful party.
Although a meeting was held between NTD and local administration to call off the strike, no deal was agreed upon. “We failed to make any headway,” Gole said. “We may continue with our strike Saturday too.”
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