Koshi flood-hit spell out new protest plan

ITAHARI: The Koshi flood victims, who have been agitating demanding food, clothes and shelter in Sunsari, announced their third round of protest at a gathering held in Inaruwa today.

The flood victims have already carried out two rounds of agitation demanding immediate implementation of the report of the high-level task force, relief and shelter for the landless.

The victims have sought loan rebate, employment opportunity, loan without guarantee, agricultural projects in the flood-affected villages, electricity in all flood-hit VDCs and treatment for those injured in the agitation. They have also sought free access to health, education and transportation facilities. Other demands of the victims are establishing a 50-bed hospital in the area, shelter for the homeless, relocating the dam one kilometre west of the wildlife reserve border, employment for locals in dam works, jobs in local governmental and non-governmental organisations and information about programmes held in the flood-affected areas.

The victims said they were forced to launch more protests since their earlier protests had not been effective. They have also decided to padlock three VDC offices in their area and other offices in the district headquarters on December 12, 13, and 15. Meanwhile, four unions have expressed solidarity to the victims' agitation. They include Nepal Basobas Basti Samrakshan Samaj, Haliya Majdur Abhiyan Nepal and Nepal Janatantrik Saman Adhikar Sangh.

Thaneshwor Limbu of Samrakshan Samaj said tougher protests would be launched if the demands were not met.