Stadiums in Kochila State Council control
BIRATNAGAR: Kochila State Council (KSC) Morang, comprising representatives from the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, seized the two stadiums in the district, by hoisting flags today.
Eastern Regional Stadium and Shahid Rangashala, which have been grabbed by the Council, were being looked after by District Sports Development Committee (DSDC). The KSC seized the Sahid Rangashala a day after Maoist-affiliated Republican Sports Federation ploughed the sports facility, to protest irregularities there. The grab is said to continue until the account is made public.
Lekhraj Khawas, acting chairman, KSC, said the move was taken for the betterment and a transparency of funds. Organising a press meet, the KSC said it would allow no programme to be held on the stadiums during the seizure. The KSC also announced that it captured 17 bighas of land in Baijanathpur-4 yesterday, purchased during the premiership of Girija Prasad Koirala in 1999, for constructing a regional stadium.
Khawas said the action was taken since the Consumers' Committee had not done any work despite receiving thousands of rupees. KSC also threatened to capture the land in front of the District Administration Office, where a clock tower stood.
Meanwhile, DSDC Morang maintained that the stadium had been rented out for organising various events, in order to acquire funds to maintain the office.
