People of Dhankuta staged a demonstration at the district headquarters on Friday, demanding that Dhankuta be made the capital of Provincial 1.

Hundreds of locals marched around the town starting from Bhim Narayan Chowk. Civil society leader Bidur Subedi argued that Dhankuta would be suitable to be the capital of Province-1 as it has sufficient infrastructure to house new offices. Subedi claimed that the geography and climate of Dhankuta was also favourable for hosting the provincial headquarters.

People recall that Dhankuta has been the administrative centre since the Ranas’ time. The protest was led by the “Dhankuta Rajdhani Banau Mul Sangharsha Samiti”. Umesh Ghimire, chairman of the Dhankuta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who also coordinates the committee, said that the hills should not be left out while announcing the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, the people of Doti in the Far West have demanded Dipayal as the capital of Provincial-7. Professor Arjun Deuba of Doti Multiple Campus said Dipayal could be made the capital as it has infrastructure for the purpose.