Patna, (Bihar Times): Work on plugging the breach in the eastern embankment of river Kosi near Kusaha in Nepal has come to a halt due to the obstruction in the road created by the citizens of that country. They are demanding payment of Rs three lakh per family as compensation for the loss incurred due to flood.

According to the reports the district magistrate of Supaul, Sarwan Kumar and superintendent of police of Saharsa, Shahrukh Majid, along with the engineers of the water resources department had gone to the spot a couple of days back to supervise the breach-plugging work. The administration sought the intervention of the Bihar government in this regard. The state water resources minister, Vijendra Yadav, told newsmen that the state government had informed the Centre in this regard as it can do little in this regard. The Center is now taking up the issue with the Nepalese foreign ministry.

The blockade of Mahendra Rajmarg may delay the completion of the breach closure work by March 31, the deadline fixed by the Bihar government. The Nepalese put up wood logs to disrupt the trucks and other vehicles engaged in the plugging work.

Media reports said that the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, was to visit Kusaha but once again his visit was cancelled on account of agitation.

Comment

comments...

I recently visited the Kusha and Koshi Barrage (between 20-22 February 09).

"Nepalese citizens protest Kusaha breach-plugging works" The headline is misleading. The citizens of Nepal are not obstructing the plugging of Kusha breach. They are agitating for a very legitimate demand of compensation. In the process the breach plugging may be affected. This is also be noted that Nepalese Government is using force to quail this movement couple of times. Nepalese police have opened fire, but the protestors are getting stronger. It may also spread to this side of border. Thousands are still without shelter, livelihood and without food twice a day. A support of 100 Kg grains and Rs 2250 can not sustain the people for six month. Kindly ask from the people concern, that while they were in knowing at least for a week before the breach take place that it is going to happen, what have they done?? even they failed to alert the people on time!!! what to say.

Yours is a responsible news channel kindly be sensitive while giving heading to news, particularly when it involved a neighbour country , with which our relation is in going though a very sensitive and critical phase.
between 20-22 Feburary 09

Atal Behari Sharma

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