Tanahun locals protest land acquisition under MCC

Damauli: Local people of Byas Municipality-13 in Tanahun district have protested the land acquisition process for a transmission line extension project under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Submitting a memorandum to Chief District Officer Chhabi Lal Rijal on Thursday, the irate locals protested citing that the land acquisition took place unilaterally after issuing a notice ignoring their demands and concerns.

The process from the survey of the transmission line to the land acquisition took place unscientifically, they accused. In this regard, the protesting people have also formed a concern committee some days ago. Expressing its concerns about the land acquisition, the committee decided to halt the process, said the committee coordinator Uma Kanta Regmi. They have disagreed with the issuance of a notice to advance the land acquisition by the district administration office along the 400 kV Ratmate-Damauli-Butwal transmission line without consulting them, he said.

Under various pretexts, the state is trying to destroy arable lands in contrary to its policy to priorite agriculture, accused the committee secretary Ashok Raj Panta. He suggested seeking other alternatives. “We disagree with the land acquisition process as it destroys arable lands that have been used for ages for livelihoods.” —