Agreement between goverment and three transport trade unions about the eastern region transport strike on 16 august

Kathmandu, August 16:

The government and agitating transport worker unions reached an agreement today, ending the transport strike that had crippled life in four zones in the eastern region of the country for the past eight days.
Transport services resumed in the four zones — Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha and Janakpur — after the government agreed to provide Rs 1 million Neplese Rupees compensation to the family of bus driver Krishna Khawas, who was killed by a criminal gang in midnight at Highway of Sarlahi district on August 7 , when he was drove passenger night bus. The government also agreed to arrange for free education to his children.
A six-point agreement was reached between Home Secretary Umesh Mainali and agitating transport trade union leaders during talks held in Kathmandu at home ministry. As per the agreement, the government has agreed to book the culprits at the earliest and to manage effective security for the transport workers and establish to the additional security post in the highways.
The agreement praised helper of the bus Laxmi Dhami who drove passengers to safety after the criminals shot dead the driver.
According to president of Nepal Transport Workers Union ( NETWON ) Ajay kumar Rai, the government has promised to provide the compensation to the victim’s family within 21 days. He said the strike was withdrawn and transport services resumed from 6 pm today and this agreement result of single voice from three unions. The Nepal Transport Workers Union ( NETWON ), Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal and All Nepal Transport Workers Association were planning to enforce a nationwide transport strike from 17th august , but they cancelled the strike plan after reaching the agreement with the government. A report from Itahari said transport movement resumed in the town late in the evening.
Soon after the agreement in Kathmandu, garaged and stranded vehicles started plying and left for their destinations. The strike had led to a shortage of daily essentials including petroleum products and salt and food in the region. It is believed that it would take few days for the supply to become normal.