Dolakha, November 30

Locals blew conches to protest against contractors who had abandoned the construction of Lamosanghu-Charikot road section along the Araniko Highway, at Charikot in Dolakha today.

The locals said road construction had been left in a lurch for the last four years due to sheer negligence on the part of contractors. They have drawn the attention of the local government and administration to the need to take action against the contractors.

The locals blew conches as part of their campaign against contractors in Charikot today. The locals resorted to the protest after the authority concerned showed apathy in blacktopping the road.

The locals have warned that leaders of political parties and people in power will be banned from entering the district.

Simanchal-Gauriparbati-Sunaulakhemti JV has been working on the first phase of the road project. Construction work on the 25-kilometre Khandichaur-Mude stretch has gained momentum. However, Samramali-Sunaulakhemti JV in coordination with Indian Company — Sakil Haider — has left the second phase of the project, Mude-Charikot stretch, in the lurch.

The locals have also padlocked road division office, pasted the contractors’ photos in public places, organised whistle rally and blew conches as a part of their protests. Civil Society leader Ramesh Khatiwada said they had protested with the aim of pressing the contractor to complete road construction at the earliest. “However, the protest could be meaningless due to its peaceful nature,” he added. Khatiwada also informed that the nature of protest could change in the future.