Due to the damage caused by the quake to the high-risers, people living around them have been forced to spend sleepless nights.

A meeting of the affected in Balkumari, Lalitpur, on Saturday urged the government to penalise those involved in violating the building code while constructing high-risers, and ensure security for the people residing near the buildings.

“The buildings that were constructed without following the building code should be pulled down,” a joint declaration paper of the affected read. “There is need for a new law.”

They also demanded the government designate a specific place where high-rise buildings can be developed and not allow construction of such buildings in places with high population density.

“Apartment developers are interpreting the stickers pasted by the government in a different manner,” Ganesh Man Singh Karki, president of the joint struggle committee formed on Saturday. “The government should be able to stop cosmetic repair of high-rise buildings before a proper assessment is done.”

The 21-member committee formed at the initiation of Balkumari Community Protection Committee has appointed Suvash Bhandari of Nakkhu as vice-coordinator.