Kanchanpur – The people who suffer from floods in the Banhara-Doda River of Shuklaphant Municipality-12 in the district every year are all set to press the election candidates for their commitment to solve problems and request for votes thereafter. The locals are united with the voice on whether the candidates pledge or not for their cause.

The households of the flood victims formed a struggle committee and to exert collective pressure on the election candidates when they approach for votes. There are eight points in the commitment paper the locals are showing before the candidates for signing and requesting for votes.

The people have decided to vote for the candidates who sign the commitment paper and show keen interest to solve the longtime problem of flooding they face every year. “In the past, many candidates- both the winner and loser made mere verbal commitment before us. But after election, they failed to return and work for our cause,” said one of the flood sufferers, Laxman Rana, adding, “We, therefore, are urging them to make written commitment this time.”He however said only party cadres had reached them for votes, but not the candidates.

The commitment paper reads, “We’re committed to building an embankment by making long term project like that of Mahakali to protect the settlements of Tilki, Dubaha, Amghat, Dammalpatti, Aglipatti, Badbaika which on the bank of Doda River. If we fail to accomplish it in three years, we resign from the post of people’s representatives.”

Chairperson of community disaster management committee, Mangal Chaudhary, stressed that the election candidates must reach the settlements which suffer from the flooding. They can approach the flood-affected household at least twice a year -not only in election campaigning.As many as 27 households were displaced by the recent flood.