Kathmandu, May 10

Locals of Asan have staged protest against Bayu Guthi Sansthan, a local trust, for allegedly selling the historical building and Bihar, a holy temple of Buddhist ‘Kuthanani’, for the construction of concrete building today.

Kuthanani is a historical building, which, according to locals, dates back more than 500 years. It was home to 14 families and a Bihar. Families living at a place from generations have been paying rent every month. According to Umesh Sthapit, a local of Asan, Bayu Guthi Sansthan has signed a contract to lease the historical place to a person named Raju Gorkhali for 25 years. He said the families living there had tried to buy a blue print of the building four decades ago but the Survey Department refused to sell it.

“As per contract, Sthapit can build concrete building and use it for 25 years. This is a cultural place and we would not allow anyone to construct a concrete building here,” said Sthapit.

He added, “Guthi Sansthan is a responsible organisation committed to protecting culture and historical places. Despite its contribution in protecting the cultural place, it has also been trying to misuse its authority.”

“We would not allow anyone to build concrete complex at this historical place.

The building which was damaged by the April 2015 earthquakes will be reconstructed with the help of local resources and support,” said Sthapit.

Ganapati Lal Shrestha, also a local of Asan, said should the Guthi Sansthan fail to rescind the contract, they would stage protest programmes.

He said, “It’s not only the concern of the local people, but also of the government when it comes to protecting cultural places.”