Relay hunger strike halts Pokhara flights

BHARAT KOIRALA

POKHARA: Pokharelis on Thursday have started staging a relay hunger strike as part of their programmes to exert pressure on the government for construction of the international airport in their native place in Pokhara.

In the first-phase, seven activists including cordinator of the Regional International Airport Concern Committee Krishna Mohan Shrestha, former presidnet of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ananda Raj Mulmi, noted cartoonist Durga Baral Batsayan, tourism expert Jhalak Thapa, folk singer Haridevi Koirala, activist Bishwa Shankar Palikhe and national volleyball player Sipora Gurung are staging the relay hunger strike in front of the airport gate in Pokhara.

Speaking at the outset of the hunger strike, Concern Committee member Shiva Shankar Palikhe vehemently stated that they will not only stage hunger strikes but will even scrifice their lives for the construction of international airport in Pokhara.

Former president of FNCCI Ananda Raj Mulmi said the governmet’s inaction has compelled Pokharelis to stage a phase-wise protest programme. “We are staging the hunger strike to foil the conspiracies being hatched against the construction work in Pokhara,” he added, calling for solidarity among the Pokhara denizens.

Coordinator Shrestha warned of a stronger stir unless the government heeds thier peaceful demand.

Cartoonist Durga Baral Batsayan stressed on the need to take this noble compaign to a logical conclusion, expressing a sense of glory while staging the strike for the common interest.

Tourism expert Thapa stated the construction of the international airport will not only boost the economy of the contry but it will aso be the backbone of the national economy.

No flights to and from Pokhara took place today as per the premediated protest programmes, informed Concern Committee cordinator Krishna Mohan Shreshth.

As many as 15 flights operate from Pokhara airport daily. “If the demands are not addressed by Bhadra 15, we will shut down the airport indefinitely,” warned Concern Committee.