Lamjung, November 18 :

Construction of the Mid-Marsyangdi Hydro Project came to a halt again today after the workers and the contractor failed to see eye-to-eye.

The contractor DDC-JV announced a halt to the work in the project formally, saying workers have been on strike for five days to press their eight-point charter of demands. The strike is being spearheaded by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF).

The contractor had yesterday put up a notice threatening to leave the site if the workers did not join duty by next morning. As workers did not join duty this morning, the contractor slammed the lid on all works in the project. Sources close to the contractor said construction was stopped due to lack of security and essential daily services for high-level officials.

The situation remained tense all day at Phaliyasanghu, the main construction site, as some officials of the contractor firm left for Kathmandu.