Jitpur-Simara Ward Offices Shut Down Amidst Security Concerns and Youth Protests

Bara. The ward office of Jitpur-Simara Sub-Metropolitan City Ward Number 20 has been closed for a week. The Ward Chairperson, ward secretary, and staff closed the office citing security concerns.
Following an incident on Sunday afternoon where a group of youths from the Gen-Z group suddenly entered the ward office, vandalized furniture, and mistreated the representatives and staff, all services provided by the ward have been suspended due to safety fears.

Ward Chairperson Rasulmiya Ansari stated that a group of 50-60 youths, led by local Shambhu Yadav, initiated a dispute over issues including the dilapidated state of a school toilet, unpaid drainage cleaning bills, the non-operation of a health post, and the encroachment of the ward's cremation ground land. He noted that the group resorted to vandalism and assault despite these issues being resolvable through simple discussion.

Ward Chairperson Ansari said, 'We are mentally traumatized. Fear is being spread in the name of Gen-Z. Services cannot resume until security is guaranteed.'
Jitpur-Simara Sub-Metropolitan Ward Number 20 has allocated 300,000 rupees in the current fiscal year for the repair of dilapidated toilets. According to Ansari, the ward has been cleaning drains annually using the municipality's JCB. The health post, constructed during the tenure of the late Mayor Krishna Paudel, remains non-operational due to issues like lack of electricity meter connection and fencing. Ansari claims the cremation ground land was encroached upon long before he became Ward Chairperson (continuously since 2074).

Ward Chairperson Ansari complained about the sudden aggression and physical assault by the Gen-Z group during the executive meeting held on Thursday. He has submitted a written request to the sub-metropolis demanding security. In his request, the sub-metropolis wrote to the local administration on Wednesday asking for security arrangements. The letter states, 'Since they attacked the chairperson and staff with the intent to kill, we request assistance in managing security to resume office operations and taking immediate legal action against those involved in the incident.'

Ward Secretary Harikishor Sah remarked that his job is not more important than his life. Ward Secretary Sah said, 'All services of the ward office have been closed since Monday. We cannot return to work until security is guaranteed.'

During the sub-metropolis executive meeting on Thursday, Ward Chairperson Ansari, along with Ward Number 13 Chairperson Hemnarayan Chaudhary, Ward Number 2 Chairperson Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, and others, complained that youths in the name of Gen-Z are threatening ward officials, pressuring them to act against the law, and spreading terror in the wards.

Ward Number 13 Chairperson Chaudhary mentioned that while the Gen-Z youths raise valid points, their style of presentation is inappropriate. Ward Chairperson Chaudhary said, 'The Gen-Z youths have been asking why this or that was not done in a threatening tone. We are ready to accept everything if they come in a disciplined and lawful manner.'

Due to the Gen-Z movement on Bhadra 23 and 24, more than half a dozen ward offices in Jitpur-Simara were damaged. As a result, many energetic ward chairpersons are now discouraged and are not in a mindset to take risks. Ward Number 12 Chairperson Shyababu Khan Chaudhary, who previously played a significant role in protecting encroached public land, says he will just finish his 1-year term. He complained that the lack of a functional ward office has killed his energy to work.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rajan Paudel commented on social media that ward chairpersons feel uncomfortable and unsafe working in their wards due to the fear spread in the name of Gen-Z. Mayor Paudel said, 'Some ward chairpersons have informed the executive meeting that they feel uncomfortable and unsafe working in the wards. I request the government to create an environment where representatives working in the wards feel safe.'

On the other hand, Suresh KC, the municipal president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Jitpur-Simara, stated that the party will not accept youths trying to spread anarchy in the name of the RSP. Municipal President KC said, 'We have received complaints that people are using the RSP's name, claiming it is their government, and threatening or misbehaving regarding matters that do not follow legal procedures. If our cadres or youth organization members act against the law, we will recommend action to the party's higher body.'

No information about ward office closure - CDO

Chief District Officer (CDO) of Bara, Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, stated that he was not aware of the ward offices being closed due to security concerns. CDO Mishra said, 'I have no information as to why services were closed. They need to report that they feel insecure, only then can we provide security.'

CDO Mishra mentioned that they only received a letter from the municipality stating that 'forced vandalism' occurred. He said, 'If the ward chairperson and secretary find it difficult to work or feel insecure, they must report it to us. Now that I have received information from you, I will look into what is happening.'

About 6 ward chairpersons in the executive meeting stated that they could not provide services due to the atmosphere of fear created in the name of Gen-Z.