KATHMANDU: Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality in Khotang, began an indefinite hunger strike at Maitighar Mandala on Sunday, demanding the right to use local raw materials.
Bhattarai argues that the existing federal law is a major obstacle preventing local governments from utilizing locally available construction resources such as riverbed materials. His key demand is for the federal government to amend the law to allow such use.
On Sunday, Bhattarai shaved his head and wore white clothes to mark the beginning of his peaceful resistance.
After receiving no response to his demands, he escalated his protest to an indefinite hunger strike starting Monday.
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