MAHENDRANAGAR: Locals have obstructed construction work at Darchula-based Chameliya Hydro Power Project by vandalising and padlocking the project office Sunday.

The area residents briefly clashed with police personnel, who made several blank fires to disperse the agitating mob. They have been demanding employment at the project.

According to Pushparaj Joshi, assistant manager of the project, around 300 locals had stormed the office. The clash erupted when the police tried to prevent them from wreaking a havoc.

The villagers vandalised window panes, doors and furniture of the project and hurled stones at the office building. Joshi said accountant Harish Pal was injured in the attack. DSP Dilliraj Bista said they were compelled to take action as the situation was spiralling out of control.

When their efforts had failed, the police allowed the agitators to padlock the office last evening.

Daily activities at the office were halted today. The project site has been guarded by a police post of 18 personnel. The District Police Office had mobilised additional force to prevent any untoward incident at the office.

Earlier, the locals had put forth their 22-point demand to the project. The agitators claimed that they were compelled to take action as the project had neglected their demands.