Locals of Ghorlikharka in Pakhribas Municipality-5, Dhankuta, have protested the excavation of stones by the municipality. The stones are being excavated from a 10-ropani area near the village, a settlement of about 85 Dalit families.

Despite the protests, locals say the contractors remain adamant and carry on with the mining. Sixteen-year-old Srijana Biswakarma was injured after she was hit by a rolling stone at the site of the excavation.

The Dhankuta Bench of Biratnagar Court has asked a written response about the case from the municipality.

Dhanmaya Tamang, a local, said, “The incident at the mining site has made us feel unsafe. Proper precautions have to be taken by those involved in the project.”

A team from the District Coordination Committee, led by Tanka Bahadur Chuwan, had visited the site and concluded that the quarry poses a danger to the villagers.

“The villagers should be provided security and the excavation site needs to be managed properly,” Chuwan said.

However, Ward Chair of Pakhribas-5 Gopal Thapa said that all the protocol were followed before the contractors started work.