KATHMANDU: The Nepal Students Union (NSU), student wing of the Nepali Congress, today staged demonstrations in the Capital demanding relocation of the Balaju-based Nepal Gas Company away from human settlements.

The protest was carried out in front of Balaju Industrial Zone in the Capital with support from the locals. The protesters referred to the recent explosion at the gas refilling plant in Birgunj in which two persons were killed, many others were injured, and properties destroyed.

NSU’s General Secretary Kundan Raj Kafle asked the concerned authorities to take initiatives to move gas refilling plants, which have been operating without safety regulations, away from human settlements.

“People were burnt alive in the explosion of the gas refilling plant at Birgunj. Our initiative is to make the concerned authorities alert and avoid such dangerous incident here,” Kafle said.

The protest has also been carried out for the safety of students at the engineering college within Balaju Industrial Zone, Siddhartha Banasthali Institute, along with many other schools that are located around the industrial area, Kafle added.

The ward had corresponded with the Ministries of Supplies, Industry, and Population & Environment five months ago regarding the removal of the gas company from the area, but there has been no response yet, according to the Chair of KMC-16 Mukunda Rijal.

Likewise, Chairman of the NC of ward 16 Debendra Pathak said they would start a signature campaign from December 30 as part of their drive.

Central member of the NSU Sushil Bhatta warned of a series-wise protest if their demand is ignored.

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