Kailali, September 25

VDC secretaries in the eastern belt of Kailali have been hard put between the opposing demands of the agitating activists of Tharuhat and Tharuwan forces and other locals.

While the agitators have warned them against opening their offices, other groups have been putting pressure on them to keep their offices open.

“We are completely puzzled,” said Dambar Thapa, secretary of Bauniya VDC.

A VDC secretary on condition of anonymity said they were facing a hard time as there were people from both Tharu and hill communities residing in the district.

“We are in a great dilemma. We have been carrying out our regular work secretly though we are at the risk of facing the wrath of both the groups,” he rued.

VDC secretaries of Ratanpur, Pabera, Hasuliya, Gadariya, Joshipur, among other dozens of VDC secretaries, have been hard put between the demands of rival groups for the past one month. They said they could feel safe only if the local administration ensured security. Many of the secretaries had been staying in district headquarters Dhangadhi but started going to their offices following a directive by the District Development Committee.

A VDC secretary on Wednesday said that his VDC office remained shut for the whole month. “The agitating forces issue threats over phone asking us to close our offices, whereas the government authorities have asked us not to halt regular services.”

Tharuhat/Tharuwan Struggle Committee, which has been staging protest since August 8, has announced to continue general strike until their demands were addressed.

The activists of the Tharuwan/ Tharuhat set ablaze the offices of Taranpur and Bauniya VDCs on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Kailali Chief District Officer Mohan Chapagain today said action would be taken against those involved in vandalism and arson.