Koshi Province
Dhankuta folk protest stone excavation
The Dhankuta Bench of Biratnagar Court has asked a written response about the case from the municipality.Ramesh Chandra Adhikari
Locals of Ghorlikharka in Pakhribas Municipality-5, Dhankuta, have protested the excavation of stones by the municipality. The stones are being excavated from a 10-ropani area near the village, a settlement of about 85 Dalit families.
Despite the protests, locals say the contractors remain adamant and carry on with the mining. Sixteen-year-old Srijana Biswakarma was injured after she was hit by a rolling stone at the site of the excavation.
The Dhankuta Bench of Biratnagar Court has asked a written response about the case from the municipality.
Dhanmaya Tamang, a local, said, “The incident at the mining site has made us feel unsafe. Proper precautions have to be taken by those involved in the project.”
A team from the District Coordination Committee, led by Tanka Bahadur Chuwan, had visited the site and concluded that the quarry poses a danger to the villagers.
“The villagers should be provided security and the excavation site needs to be managed properly,” Chuwan said.
However, Ward Chair of Pakhribas-5 Gopal Thapa said that all the protocol were followed before the contractors started work.