The residents of Kanda VDC in Bajhang district have threatened to renounce their citizenships if the VDC is not given a separate village council status by the Local Level Restructuring Technical Assistance Committee (LLRTAC) of the Local Level Restructuring Commission.

Scores of people walked for five days from their village to organise protest in Chainpur, the district headquarters of Bajhang, on Tuesday. They submitted a memorandum to the LLRTAC demanding Kanda village council.

The technical committee has proposed including Kanda VDC in Talkot village council. However, locals are dissatisfied at the restructuring proposal. Thelocals said that the LLRTAC and the district-based political parties betrayed them, though the restructuring commission was positive about giving the VDC village council status.

Man Bahadur Bohara, coordinator of Kanda Village Council Struggle Committee, said that they will have to walk two to four days to reach the centre of the proposed Talkot village council. “We should be included in the same village council as we have different language, religion and cultures,” said Bohara. The villagers opined that the area can be declared a village council as the VDC meets the required standard. The VDC is one of the largest in the district.

Former VDC officer of the Kanda Rana Bahadur Bohara said they will renounce their citizenships if their demand is not heeded. “We have been compelled to pay Rs 100 for a packet of salt whereas the residents of other VDCs are getting the same amount of salt in Rs 9 in Bajhang. We are also deprived of government facilities including health and education,” he said.

The agitating villagers have also threatened to padlock District Development Committee Office and Border Police Post. The LLRTAC has proposed 11 local units in the district.