Himalayan News Service

Rajbiraj, March 22:

The people, who were displaced by the Koshi barrage, have not yet got compensation, though an agreement was reached between Nepal and India five decades ago, barrage-hit people said.

Meanwhile, local authorities have warned some 500 families residing on the banks of Koshi river to demolish their houses as soon as possible. In separate notices, the District Administrative Offices of Saptari and Sunsari instructed residents to demolish their houses. The affected people have reacted strongly against the decision of the local authorities.

"We request officials concerned to provide the affected families with compensation before displacing them," said lawyer Dev Narayan Yadav, chairman of the Society of Koshi Affected People.

According to a report, more than 5, 000 people are reportedly residing in 13 bighas of land at the banks of Koshi river.

"When the affected families requested the Bihar government for compensation, they replied that the compensation had already been given to the Nepal government", said Yadav. "If the authorities do not take back the decision to demolish our houses, we will go on a strike," warned a local. The officials, however, denied to comment when contacted.

The Saptari DAO has ordered some 100 families residing in the Koshi barrage area to leave the place within a month while DAO, Sunsari, has notified residents to vacate the place within 15 days.