The locals began the protests after the college administration failed to meet the deadline given by the local administration to move out of the area by the end of October. The Supreme Court on April 29, 1996 had issued an order asking the college to relocate outside the Bageshwari Jungle.[break]
A struggle committee formed by members of Devghat Area Development Committee, Bageshwari Adhyatmik Parishad and Jaldevi Community Forest Consumer Committee on Sunday also staged a sit-in in front of the college. “We did not want to take stern steps as it is an educational institution. But it has now left us with no choice. We will force the college out of this jungle at any cost,” said Santa Prasad Pokrel, coordinator of the struggle committee.
The culture ministry has also written to the college asking it to vacate the area without further delay.
The government had provided 28 hectares of land to the medical college on February, 1994 on a 49-year lease. But the government decision was overturned by the SC.
Rishiram Khanal, coordinator of the college said, “We are aware of the protest but we have requested the authorities to extend the deadline as the college building is under construction,” said V Natraj Prasad, director of the college.
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