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Bandh observed in Uttarkashi

Staff Correspondent

DEHRA DUN: Uttarkashi town observed a total bandh on Thursday as a large number of residents staged rallies seeking a CBI probe into the heavy spending on the Varunavat hill treatment and rehabilitation of the rockfall victims.

Hundreds of residents marched through the streets with traditional pipe instruments being played at a loud pitch to register the protest. All parties, barring the ruling Congress, jointly organized the demonstration. The Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Lef leaders vowed to intensify the stir if the hill treatment and rehabilitation works were not completed within a month.

"Nearly two years have passed since the debris and rock fall from Varunavat destroyed nearly half of the town but the authorities are yet to either rehabilitate us to a safer place or expedite the treatment for stability of the fragile mountain overlooking Uttarkashi'' said Shiela Bahuguna and others who lost their houses in the rockfall.

The Government plans to shift nearly 20 offices including the collectorate to a safer place as they were endangered by the rock fall. " We are trying to do our best but the persons responsible for the treatment work are taking it easy leading to much resentment among the local population', observed a senior official.

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Bandh observed in Uttarkashi

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