Butwal, December 18
Ambulance drivers staged a demonstration in Butwal on Sunday against attacks on ambulances during the ongoing general strike. They were also demanding security for the vehicles belonging to the essential services category.
Their demonstration came after strike enforcers mistreated drivers and vandalised ambulances at Chauraha and Chandbari Chok in Butwal on Friday and Saturday.
At the call of Joint Ambulance Drivers’ Association (Lumbini), ambulance drivers staged the protest with their vehicles in front of Lumbini Zonal Hospital in Butwal. They were demanding that authorities ensure security of their lives and the vehicles.
Yadu Nath Bhandari, chief of the association’s Lumbini zonal chapter, said they were finding it hard to drive ambulances with strike enforcers mistreating them and vandalising the ambulances.
Mukti Kafle of the association said: We cannot drive ambulances by putting our lives at stake. Who will be responsible if any untoward incident happens?
Netra Panthi, former lawmaker and leader of the main opposition CPN-UML, said action should be taken against those involved in vandalism, even if they are cadres of his own party.
Issue at a glance
- In course of the general strike against the Constitution Amendment Bill, ambulance drivers have come under attack in Butwal
- These drivers say they cannot continue to drive ambulances by putting their lives at risk
- They are demanding security of their lives and the ambulances
