Locals backed by four political parties have padlocked three hydro-power projects including Chilime Hydropower Project in Rasuwa.

The agitators padlocked the offices of Upper and Lower Sanjen projects, Chilime Hydropower Project and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project on Saturday, demanding the authority retain the old management on those projects.

The locals padlocked the offices of the hydro projects after holding a 2-hour-long corner assembly at Thambuchet, the dam-site of Chilime Hydropower Project. Earlier, security personnel had barred locals from padlocking; however, they retreated afterwards.

The political parties, on Sunday morning, padlocked Chilime’s underground power plant at Syabru Besi as well. Political parties have been divided over the removal of Chilime Hydropower Project’s management team.

Four days ago, on Wednesday, CPN-UML along with other political parties had expressed commitment to resume the project.

The ruling party Nepali Congress, opposition party UCPN (Maoist), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Sanghiya Ganatantrik Samajwadi Party have been demanding for the revival of the old management and re-appointment of Managing Director Kulman Ghising.

Ghising was removed from his post of manager from Chilime Hydropower Project and transferred to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) by the Ministry of Energy. NEA said Ghising was called back after his tenure as director ended on June 19, 2014.

The locals and the political parties have warned an indefinite strike from 15^th of August, if their demands including Ghising's re-appointment are not addressed.