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Drivers in Nepal bear the brunt of Maoist violence
14 March 2007
Four microbus drivers protesting over the brutal treatment of two of their colleagues in Nepal were injured during clashes with Maoists at the end of last month.
A five-hour protest held on 27 February in the city of Lalitpur saw microbus drivers, members of the ITF-affiliated transport union, Nepal Transport Workers’ Union (NETWON), line up their vehicles in the middle of a road. They were expressing their anger over the treatment meted out to two colleagues following an altercation over ticket fares; they had reportedly been severely beaten while detained in the Maoists’ office on 26 February.
During the demonstration, four drivers were hurt after they were allegedly attacked by a group of Maoists wielding swords and iron rods. Thirteen vehicles were also vandalised.
Talks between the workers and the Maoists have since led to a compromise agreement over payment of treatment costs and compensation for all the injured.
According to Ajay Rai, NETWON President, the clashes are just the latest spate of unrest in the country. He explained: “Ever since the restoration of multi-party democracy last year, and the return of the Maoist Communist Party to mainstream politics in Nepal, Maoist front organisations, including their labour wing, have been trying to legitimise themselves. This has resulted in violent clashes, where Maoist cadres have raided mainstream unions, and in many cases, forcibly signed up activists and members to their own unions. The transport unions of the three major national union centres – Nepal Trade Union Congress, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions and Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions - have all been victims of this trend.”Related news:
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