Youths demanding new bridge over Kamala River break fast-unto-death following four-point pact

Published On: August 23, 2024 07:00 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

DHANUSADHAM, Aug 23: Youths who were staging a fast-unto-death for the last four days demanding that a new bridge linking Dhanusha and Siraha districts be constructed over the Kamala river, along the postal highway, have broken their fast.

Chief minister of Madhesh Province, Satish Kumar Singh, convinced the youths to break their fast after holding talks with them and signing a four-point agreement. The chief minister offered juice to the youths staging the protest to break their fast.

Pravin Kumar Yadav, the coordinator of the Struggle Committee for Construction of New Kamala Bridge on Hulaki Road and Chief Minister Singh have signed an agreement on immediately constructing a new bridge over the Kamala River.

As per the agreement letter, the Madhesh Province Government shall bear the entire costs required for the construction of the new bridge if the federal government does not take initiatives to manage budget under this heading in its annual budget for the fiscal year 2025/26, and a tender will be called for preparing the detailed project report of the bridge within November 16, 2024.

It is stated in the agreement that all protest programs of the Struggle Committee Siraha and Dhanusha will be halted from today.

Ten youths had been staging a fast-unto-death in front of the Chief Minister's Office under the leadership of the Struggle Committee Coordinator Yadav, since August 20.

Those participating in the fast-unto-death include Acting Chair of Siraha Library, Bhogendra Yadav, Siraha Municipality-6 Chairman Indrajeet Yadav, Municipality-4, Chairman Mohammad Shamshad Alam, Aurahi Rural Municipality-4 Chair Surendra Kumar Yadav, local youth Manish Kumar Yadav, Engineer Shailendra Yadav, Siraha Municipality-8 member Er Rupesh Yadav, Engineer Shiva Shankar Yadav and Aurahi Rural Municipality-3 Chair Jeevachha Yadav.

They had been staging the hunger strike by pitching a tent in front of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers to press for the fulfillment of their demand.

(RSS)