Jhapa, June 30

Locals of Birtamode marked Paddy Day by planting paddy in the muddy road in Jhapa on Sunday.

Local people and traders planted paddy in the muddy street and voiced their protest. Construction of a four-lane street from Muktichowk of Birtamode to Bhadrapur had started 14 months ago. Negligence on the part of the contractor and the government agency concerned has left the road in sorry state.

Local trader Santosh Agrawal said monsoon had added to their woes. “Rain water has logged the road at multiple places. The road in front of shops is full of mud.

We planted paddy in the road as a form of protest to draw the government’s attention,” Agrawal said.

He warned that locals would hit the street if construction of the road was delayed further.