Kathmandu: The strike called by the Maoist-aligned All Nepal Transportation Independent Workers Union (ANTIWU) in Nepal entered its second day today as hundreds of passengers and vehicles remained stranded on the Araniko highway near China-border.

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded on the highway as the long route vehicles plying from Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli and Kavre districts to Kathmandu along the highway have been halted since yesterday, according to eye-witnesses.

The highway has been blocked by the agitating transport workers since yesterday pressing for their 10-point demands, including security for transportation entrepreneurs and workers.

No vehicles are running in the east of Bhaktapur though the short route vehicles from Nayanchowk, Bhaktapur have been plying to Kathmandu, according to the traffic police as the agitating union members obstructed the highway at different places.

All business transactions between Tibet through Tatopani border, 110 km north of the capital city, have also been hit by the transport strike. During the strike the protestors also vandalized two passenger buses in Banepa yesterday.

Source : PTI