Gaighat, November 6

Locals of Udaypur today staged protest against the proposal of Local Level Restructuring Technical Assistance Committee regarding the number of local bodies in the district.

The protesters obstructed vehicular movement at Betini along Katari-Ghurmi road section from early morning today against the committee’s proposal to merge Limpatar, Mayangkhu, Sorungchhabise, Hardeni and Lekahni VDCs with Katari Municipality.

Around 1,000 protesters turned up at Betini and brought vehicular movement at a grinding halt, informed Area Police Office, Katari. The vehicles travelling to and from Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and Khotang were badly affected, said police.

The technical committee has proposed merging five VDCs of upper hill region with Katari Municipality. Locals and political party leaders protested against the decision.

“The agitating locals have demanded formation of a new village assembly by merging the VDCs instead of merging them with Katari Municipality,” said Bhim Shrestha of Betini.

Meanwhile, Bishwo Jit Rai, information Officer at District Development Committee, Udaypur, said the situation became more complicated due to non-cooperation of the locals and political parties. Earlier, the technical committee had proposed eight local bodies, including four municipalities, in the district.