MUGU, July 15: Two local representatives were critically injured when locals vandalized the office of Khatyad Rural Municipality in Mugu district on Saturday.

Locals had staged protest outside the municipality office against a recent decision of the municipal assembly to relocate the office of ward no 3. The protestors said the new location is not accessible for many.

As the locals pelted stones at the office of the rural municipality, office helper Ganesh Thapa and Dalit member of ward no 7 Umakala Bhiyal were injured in the incident, according to local Ganesh Tamata. As the condition of both the injured is reportedly serious, the rural municipality chartered a helicopter and airlifted them to Nepalgunj for treatment.There are 11 wards in Khtayad. Sukendra Baniya, the chief of ward no 3, says the municipal assembly approved the decision to move the ward office to a place which is a long distance for many people.

According to him, locals had demanded that the ward office be set up at Bhad Tukuri, however, the municipal assembly decided Ranakot as the location. Agitating locals have accused the rural municipality of making the relocation decision without much consideration.

It has been learnt that some residents of the ward had already offered to donate land needed for setting up ward office at Bhad Tukuri.

Jayananda Rawal, vice-chairman of Khatyad, accused the locals of raking up the controversy over the location. "This issue should have been resolved by the ward itself instead of seeking the help of the rural municipality," said Rawal.

Since the locals could not agree over location, the municipal assembly through a majority decision picked Ranakot, Rawal said.

 
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