KATHMANDU, JUNE 8

Dozens of locals, who have been guarding the muchhyped Sisdole and Bancharedanda landfill sites to stop vehicles ferrying waste from Kathmandu valley to be dumped there, clashed with security forces mobilised in the area.

Locals residing in the seven villages around the landfill sites in the bordering areas of Kathmandu - Nuwakot and Dhading districts - have been obstructing the disposal of waste in the landfill sites there. Locals of the areas, who often complain of being cheated by the federal government, have been refusing to allow waste to be dumped in the area.

Locals mobilise people on a routine basis to guard the area whenever trucks filled with garbage reach the area.

Today, more than 150 trucks carrying waste from Kathmandu valley tried to enter the Bancharedanda landfill site along with a large number of Nepal Police personnel and Armed Police Force. Noticing the large number of police personnel coming to the area, the locals pelted stones from the top of the hill.

Local activist Rammani Ghimire told THT that at least one policeman was badly injured in the attack, while some locals also suffered injuries. The locals, however, dispersed after police fired a couple of rounds of tear gas shells against protesters.

Locals alleged that police arrested people from their homes and fields where they were working.

The garbage disposal has drawn much attention in the past few days after locals obstructed roads hindering trucks ferrying waste from entering the landfill site. The obstruction comes at a time when the newly-built Bancharedanda sanitary landfill site is being prepared to be brought into operation.

Only two days ago, the federal government, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and local governments from the area had reached an agreement on allowing the landfill site to be operated.

The government had met most of protesters' demands.

However, local people are defying the decision of their own leaders and activists as they perceive that they are being cheated.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.