Mobile phone traders have demanded action against those involved in the robbery at mobile shops located at Lotse Mall in New Bus Park.

They have also demanded compensation from the government for the losses incurred.

Looters had made off with mobile sets worth millions of rupees in the robbery, taking advantage of a protest by public transport workers.

Arjun Chalise, the shop owner and vice president of the Federation of Nepal Mobile Business Association, said mobile phones worth around Rs80-90 million were looted from his two shops located in the mall.

Bharat Bhattarai, president of the Federation of Nepal Mobile Business Association, said action should be taken against those involved in Monday's incident and the state should compensate the businessmen.

“Our shops were looted in a broad daylight robbery. We will launch protest programmes if the government fails to compensate us for the losses incurred,” said Bhattarai.

Transport operators on Monday staged a demonstration against the traffic police’s ‘stringent’ rules, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s announcement to not let long and medium route public vehicles park in open spaces other than inside the New Bus Park at Gongabu.

The demonstration took a violent turn when the agitating protesters set fire to two traffic vans, venting their ire against the police, who they say overcharged fines. They also vandalised the supermarket’s building.