Locals stage sit-in at Birgunj dry port over compensation, hitting cargo and revenue collection

Locals affected by the acquisition of land for expanding the dry port in Sirsiya, Birgunj, began an indefinite sit-in at the main entrance of the port on Monday. They are demanding compensation for the acquired land and for damage to their houses and sheds.

The sit-in has disrupted the movement of cargo vehicles, including trucks and containers. Regular port operations, import and export transport, and revenue collection have also been affected.

Locals complain that although discussions, talks and agreements have been held with government agencies many times, they have not been implemented. Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, chairperson of the Compensation Struggle Committee, said they have received only assurances for 12 years, and that they were forced to sit in protest after a memorandum submitted to the customs administration went unheeded.

Chaudhary alleged that the state is making excuses over compensation for residential plots (ghaderi) that are regularly bought and sold through the Land Revenue Office and accepted as collateral by banks. He said the sit-in will continue until the demands are met.

Ashutosh Chaturvedi, ward chairperson of Birgunj Metropolitan City Ward 25, said compensation has been stalled, citing minor discrepancies found in the maps and fieldbook during measurement.