Locals protest declaration of Godawari as Province 7 HQ

Dhangadi, September 29

Locals of Dhangadi today enforced a general shutdown against the decision of the Province Assembly making Kailali’s Godawari Municipality the permanent headquarters of Province 7.

The decision was endorsed by two-thirds majority of the Province 7 assembly. While the markets remains closed, vehicles stayed off the roads since early morning. Bandh enforcers did not even allow motorcycles and e-rickshaws to ply market areas.

They even forced the closure of shops since early morning. Protesters also took out a motorcycle rally in Dhangadi Bazaar. They accused of the province assembly of not consulting the locals before taking the decision.

Mayor Nripa Bahadur Odd of Dhangadi Sub-metropolis said the sub-metropolis dwellers were protesting against the working style of the provincial government.

The locals had begun protests since September 26 demanding that Dhangadi Sub-Metropolitan City be made the permanent headquarters of the province.

The proposal to make Godawari the permanent headquarters of Province 7 and naming the province Far-west was passed by two-third majority of the Province Assembly on Friday.

Godawari chosen for the new capital- is 20 kilometres away to the north from Dhangadi. The general strike called by the locals of Dipayal continued today as well. Markets were closed and vehicles remained off the roads in Dipayal due to the bandh.