BANIYANI, JHAPA: More than 4,550 households in wards 1, 2 and 3 of Mechinagar Municipality in Jhapa district are forced to drink contaminated river water due to the lack of clean drinking water supply.

Water sources are drying fast due to various reasons, while the villages have failed to attract a drinking water project so far.

Every election, the poll agendas dominate the drinking water for the locals, only to be on paper. Once election is over, drinking water agenda never gets a priority, said local Laxmi Chapagain of Mechinagar-2.

'Human body is cremated on the river banks. We are forced for long to use the contaminated water from the river for drinking and other purposes,' complained another local Yam Bahadur Bishwokarma. Three big drinking water projects have been launched in the town but the local folks are still deprived of drinking water. According to the Municipality Mayor Bimal Acharya, 'The matter has been raised with concerned authorities. The problem will be resolved within a few years'.