BARA, July 15: Home Minister Sudan Gurung, who traveled to Bara with a commitment to address the demands of loan sharking victims, has come under criticism after prioritizing other official engagements while victims waited for scheduled talks.
Victims gathered in Nijgadh expressed disappointment after the minister arrived hours later than the agreed time, spending the day inspecting industries and a local river instead.
Following the first round of discussions, which continued until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, both sides had agreed to resume talks at noon on Wednesday. Although Gurung had committed to meeting the victims at the Nijgadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry hall before leaving for Simara, he did not arrive at the venue till 7 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the victims.
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Sohan Sharma, one of the waiting victims, said the minister was initially expected at noon and later at 4 pm, but had still not reached the venue by evening.
Awadhesh Kushwaha, central president of the Meter Byaj Pidit Biruddha Krishak Mazdoor Andolan Nepal, said the victims, who have been marching on foot from Janakpur to Kathmandu, remained hopeful that the talks would lead to concrete measures. He added that despite the delay, the victims had conveyed their demands to the home minister through alternative channels.
Madhesh Province Police Chief DIG Om Adhikari said the minister's arrival had been delayed because of other important local engagements. He said Gurung was coordinating with the government to address the victims' demands and had already departed for Nijgadh to continue the discussions.
Instead of attending the scheduled meeting, Gurung visited several industries in the Birgunj–Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor on Wednesday, including Jagdamba Steel and Hulas Industries. He also inspected the Sirsiya River near the Lalka Bridge in Jitpur.
During the inspection, local residents complained that industrial pollution had severely contaminated the Sirsiya River, posing serious environmental and public health risks.
After hearing the concerns, Gurung said environmental protection and public health must remain top priorities alongside industrial development and instructed the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to address the problems.
