Itahari, February 23:

The agitating Koshi flood victims today obstructed construction of embankments on Koshi to press the government to address their 13-point charter of demands.

They also blocked transportation services on Inaruwa-Koshi Barrage stretch of East-West Highway by placing logs and boulders on the road.

The Indian government had asked the contractor to complete the work by April 2. The contractor company has said the work might not be completed on time due to the ongoing strikes. It also urged the local administration for security. It has warned that if the work is not completed before April, the river may cause disaster again during the next rainy season.

Meanwhile, only two days have been left of the seven-day ultimatum issued by the agitators to Sunsari Chief District Officer to quit the district, accusing him of misusing the flood relief fund.

“We will attack the Chief District Office and District Administration Office staffers if he did not leave the district within two days,” said Pancha Narayan Mandal, president, Koshi Flood Victim’s Struggle Committee.

Chief District Officer Bhandari said he was not frightened with the threats and denied the fund misuse charge. He accused ‘some ministers’ of conspiring against him.