20131111 Nepal Buses torched with drivers sleeping inside
Nepal Nov 11 2013 “Automobile & Railway”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Buses torched with drivers sleeping inside
Updated: 2013-11-11-11:10
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
CHARIKOT / BHAKTAPUR: In separate incidents of arson in Dolakha and Bhaktapur today, three buses were set ablaze while drivers were sleeping inside. Police suspect the hand of bandh enforcers of 33-party alliance who had called a nationwide general strike today to postpone Constituent Assembly election.
Two Araniko Transport buses parked at Pakhalati of Bhimeswor Municipality Ward No 2, Dolakha, were set ablaze at 2 am, while five persons, including drivers and their helpers, were sleeping inside. All five escaped unhurt, as they got off the buses in the nick of time.
Driver of one of the buses, Ramesh GC, told THT, “The buses were parked at Pakhalati. I was sleeping in one of them with my helper, while three of my friends were in another bus. At around 2 am, we felt suffocated. When we got up, our bus was in flames. Miraculously, we made good our escape but both buses were completely damaged.”
A similar incident of arson was reported from Bal Kumari of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Ward No 13, Bhaktapur. It also involved an Araniko Transport bus. Driver Tul Bahadur Tamang, was inside the vehicle when it was set ablaze. Talking to THT, Tamang said, “I was sleeping inside the bus like every other night. At around 3:30 am, I sensed that someone was siphoning off diesel from the tank. When I woke up, I saw two youth holding petrol bombs. When confronted, they set the rear part of the bus afire. Before the fire could spread I jumped off the vehicle. Sunday’s earning of Rs 60,000 that was inside the bus was reduced to ashes.”
Bhaktapur CDO Himnath Dawadi said the government had provided Rs 25,000 compensation to the Araniko Transport Chairman Jit Bahadur Bharati. CDO Dawadi said the Home Ministry would compensate up to 90 per cent of the damage caused and the process to release the remaining amount had been initiated.
Prahlad Pokharel, Dolakha CDO, said a manhunt to nab the arsonists was on. Police say masked men were involved in both the incidents.
CPN-Maoist Dolakha in-charge Purna Bahadur Khadka refuted his party’s involvement in the arson, saying their agitation was peaceful. Talking to THT over phone, Khadka claimed that it was the handiwork of hooligans to defame his party.
41 arrested in capital
KATHMANDU: Nepal Police arrested dozens of protesters on Monday in a crackdown on a nationwide strike called by CPN-Maoist. Protesters belonging to a 33-party alliance headed by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist torched a dozen vehicles across the country while enforcing the shutdown, police spokesman Ganesh KC told AFP. “We arrested 45 protesters including 34 in Kathmandu… they attacked four vehicles in the capital early in the morning,” he said.
EC concerned
KATHMANDU: Election Commission has said it is concerned about the violent activities of the agitators demanding postponement of polls. In a press statement issued here on Monday, EC Spokesman Bir Bahadur Rai said the EC was concerned about arson, vandalism and explosions targeting candidates, voters and the parties. EC has urged all not to organise activities, including strikes, that could affect polling. Rai urged the agitators to respect the rights of those eager to cast their votes.
Websource：The Himalayan times
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