Darchula, March 2

Stating that the Chameliya Hydropower Project has not so far addressed any of their demands, locals of Shailyashikhar Municipality-1 have been staging fast-unto-death near the power house since yesterday.

The agitating locals said they launched the hunger strike as the project did not fulfil the commitments it made before starting construction of the project. Locals have formed a struggle committee to demand permanent solution to drinking water as water sources have been drying up in the area.

The locals have demanded free supply of electricity to households affected by the project in Shailyashikhar Municipality, Marma and Dilashaini rural municipalities, and declaration of Darchula and Baitadi as load-shedding free districts.

The struggle committee has also demanded to probe into alleged irregularities in the project. Struggle committee secretary Surendra Tileri said they were left with no option but to stage hunger strike after the project turned a deaf ear to their demands. Committee chair Shanker Khadayat, secretary Surendra Titara and committee advisor Parmananda Khadayat are staging the hunger strike.