Sindhupalchok, January 22

Locals of Pangretar, Sindhupalchok have padlocked the Village Development Committee office since yesterday after they did not receive the cash relief allocated by the government for quake victims to buy warm clothes.

Around 70 people have been staging a sit-in demanding that they be provided the cash relief of Rs 10,000 each.

According to VDC secretary Hari Gopal Gainda, the relief of Rs 10,000 could not be provided to 72 victims of the area as the amount had not been released for them. The 72 victims have been accused of receiving the relief amount of Rs 15,000 distributed earlier by the government by producing fake victim identity cards.

Dal Bahadur Karki of Pangretar VDC-5, who is one of the alleged fake victims, said they would not open the VDC office until their demands were met. He also warned that if they do not get the amount, they would stage a sit-in in front of the District Administration Office. It is said that an all-party meeting held a few days ago had decided recommend these 72 families for government relief.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Gokarna Dawadi said the relief amount would be provided to the remaining families after verification.