The victims had resorted to protest by throwing stones at the workers when the Department of Roads (DoR) attempted to reduce the water levels by draining the water out of the lake to resume vehicular movement from the old road section of the Araniko Highway, which remains obstructed by the landslides, using dozers and excavators.

Following the protest, police  resorted to baton-charge to scatter the protesters. A few people have been injured in the clash, locals said.

The victims from Ramche, Mankha, and Tekanpur had obstructed the work demanding compensation for their land and property buried or eroded by the landslides and ensuing floods, guaranteeing security for those living near the river banks, among others.

The artificial lake formed by the landslide had subsided after 37 days following rigorous work by the Nepal Army (NA). While the NA has succeeded in reducing the water level by 70 percent, local administration said that they had attempted to channel the water out of the lake as some sections of the highway including surrounding houses in the area still remain submerged.

According to Chet Bahadur Khadka, coordinator of the local coordination committee, they were not against reducing water from the lake, but only wanted assurance of proper compensation and were willing to extend all possible help once their demands are met. However, one of the victims, Bhakta Dwaj Bohora, a participant in the protest, alleged that the local administration had turned down their offer of a peaceful meeting.  

Meanwhile, expressing confusion as to what prompted the victims to protest, Dayakanta Jha, central regional director of DoR, said that the extent of the damage caused by the Sunkoshi landslides and ensuing floods can be calculated accurately only after reducing the water levels. He said that the work they are doing is in the best interest of the victims. While 12 houses still remain submerged in the area, vehicles have been compelled to operate from the diversion road as large section of the highway still remains under water.

Affirming that the road reconstruction work and work to reduce the water levels by draining water out of the lake could not be stopped under any circumstances, Chief District Officer Gopal Prasad Parajuli assured that the government will do its level best to address the problems of Sunkoshi landslide victims and asked them to the negotiating table for the same.

One of the worst natural disaster to hit the nation, Sunkoshi landslides had claimed 145 lives.

In the meantime, it has been confirmed that the Chinese government will be helping in government’s reconstruction efforts in the area. A joint team of technicians from Nepal and China have already started surveying the area, it is learnt. Sources at the DoR said that Chinese government will help reconstruct the road and conserve settlements at risk. While the Chinese government has assured to construct some six km of road from Larcha to Miteri bridge, Nepal government will have to bear construction cost for 30 km of the Araniko highway from Khadichaur to Larcha.