Itahari, February 24:

The three-hour-long talks held between the agitating Koshi flood victims and local political parties today ended inconclusively after the political leaders urged the agitators to withdraw the bandh.

“The talks could not reach any conclusion after we told we cannot withdraw the strike until our 13-point demand are met,” said president of Koshi Victims’ Struggle Committee Pancha Narayan Mandal.

The agitators have been disrupting the repair work on Koshi embankments, accusing the government of ignoring their demands. Accusing misuse of flood relief funds, they have also demanded transfer of CDO Durga Bhandary and probe into the alleged misuse.

Construction at the eastern embankment has been halted due to the strike. The Indian company awarded with the work expressed worries about the delay in the construction due to the strike.

The flood victims have also blocked traffic movement on Inaruwa-Koshi Barrage stretch of the highway, leaving many passengers stranded on the road. Some 350 load trucks heading to west from Itahari have also been stranded on the highway.

The agitators barred entry of vehicles, including the police vehicles, into the embankment area today.