Locals have demolished three makeshift wooden bridges constructed by India over Mahakali River in Darchula district. Indian authority had constructed the makeshift wooden bridges over Mahakali River in Byas Rural Municipality-2 without the consent of Nepal authority.

According to police, locals of Dumling on Tuesday had demolished the bridge and threw into Mahakali River.

India had constructed four makeshift wooden bridges to transport construction materials from Ghatibagad to Dopakhya and also constructed a 150-metre track for the passage of vehicles carrying heavy equipments. India has also constructed two-km road in the same area for the pedestrians.

Of the four bridges, locals demolished bridges constructed in Lakhanpur, Najang and Tambaku, police said. There is no settlement in the northern part of the headquarters of Darchula in Nepal.

India has tried to use Nepal’s territory to construct road in its area.

“There is no meaning to construct bridge in the area where there is no settlement,” a local said, adding, “The bridges were constructed for the benefit of India.”

Locals accused India of constructing the bridges in a unilateral manner without taking permission of the local administration.

“India demolishes bridges if it doesn’t need. Indian army personnel misbehave with us while walking around the bordering area,” said another local said.

Locals had tried to construct a makeshift wooden bridge at Dumling on Monday. But the Indian army personnel stopped Nepali locals from constructing the bride in the area citing they “haven’t received any order from above” to grant permission.

DSP Janak Bahadur Shahi said the locals demolished the bridge and threw into Mahakali River only to take the revenge.

A large number of police personnel from Dumling police post and Sunsera Police post have been deployed in the area.

Officials from Nepal and India had a meeting at Pithaura district of India on March 5.

During the meeting, Indian officials had demanded Nepali officials to allow them to construct a makeshift bridge for the daily movement.

As the local level could not grant permission to make bridge in the bordering river, officials from both the countries had requested the central government for the same, Chief District Officer Janardan Gautam said.

He, however, said the Nepal and Indian government have not given any reaction to an understanding reached between the officials of Nepal and India during the meeting.

Meanwhile, District Security Committee has deployed a team of Armed Police Force (APF) in the area citing possible clash between locals and Indian army personnel.