Kathmandu, December 9:

All Village Development Committees today remained closed across the nation due to the strike of VDC secretaries called to protest against the government for failing to provide security.

VDC secretaries’ move came after they decided to shut VDCs on every Sundays for a month from today, and also close offices for two days in every week.

“All VDC offices were closed today as our protest programme has started,” said Bhuwani Prasad Ghimire, the chairman of VDC Rights’ Protection Centre, announcing the protest programme in a press conference today.

He said that they were compelled to go for strikes as the government remained mum over the issue of providing security to them from all kinds of armed and unarmed groups who have been extorting, threatening and kidnapping VDC secretaries.

“While Madhesi groups have been troubling the VDC offices in Tarai, offices in hilly area are troubled by the YCL and other groups,” he said.

He condemned the government for not being able to protect civil servants and for not responding to their peaceful protest programmes.

“Our government only listens to language of those who are blocking the streets and pelting stones. But we will force the government to listen to us,” he said.

A total 3,915 VDCs, being run by secretaries, are functioning in the country.