Illegal river exploitation uncovered under godavari Mayor's patronage in Kailali

Dhangadhi: It has come to light that illegal exploitation of the Khairana River in Godavari Municipality, Kailali, has been taking place under the patronage of Mayor Birendra Bhatta.

The river has been exploited even in areas where an environmental impact assessment has not been conducted. Youths affiliated with the Nepali Congress have been found involved in the illegal activities under the mayor’s protection.

On Sunday, a team led by Kailali Chief District Officer Gogan Hamal seized three vehicles engaged in the illegal exploitation. The team took control of two dozers, bearing registration numbers Sudurpaschim Province 1-001 Ka 1762 and Sudurpaschim Province 1-001 Ka 2149, and a tipper with the registration Sudurpaschim Province 1-001 Ka 1718. The vehicles are currently being held at the Area Police Office in Malakheti.

Police have stated that the vehicles will be returned once the municipality provides the necessary billing documents and action letters. As of Monday afternoon, the seized vehicles remain under police custody.

Responding to the incident, Mayor Birendra Bhatta claimed he was unaware of any illegal vehicle seizures. He acknowledged that Chiranjivi Bhatta, a person close to the Nepali Congress, had been collecting, selling, and distributing river products from the Khairana River under a contract. "The contract in Khairana belongs to good guys. There is no information about the vehicle being seized. It is Chiranjivi Bhatta's contract. We do not know who owns the vehicle. It must have been seized because it was illegal. We have asked you not to do anything illegal," Mayor Bhatta said.