Bajura, Pahiro ko jokhim ma kolti sthaniya. BAJURA, SEP 02 - The constant fear of landslides looms over more than 600 families of Kolti, Bajura. As a result of the risk, the Nepal Army Barrack has been relocated from the area. But the locals, however, have no alternative to shift themselves. “We have no other place to go,” said Bazaar Management Committee’s chairman Kashiram Thapa. The locals were recovering from the impact of a massive landslide that occurred two years when a flood struck the region in June, killing three people and damaging infrastructure. More than 150 shops were destroyed. “Kolti’s settlement faces extreme risk,” said Industry Minister Karna Bahadur Thapa, who recently visited the site. UCPN (M) senior leader Baburam Bhattarai and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam have also dropped by the site and acknowledged the imminent dangers. However, the government is yet to launch any concrete action to ensure the safety of the citizens. No programs have been implemented and none of the settlements have been relocated. Kolti Bazaar which is located at a day’s distance from the district headquarters, Martadi, is also the district’s second most important business hub. The districts only airport is also in Kolti. It has become a hub for citizens of the 11 VDCs in the East, and other neighbouring districts of Karnali. Situated in the foothills of Bhimkaye hills, residents of Kolti and the neighbouring Bandhu-9 Pipaldali feel like living alongside a ticking time bomb. Elders of the village say this settlement is relatively new. They say debris of human settlement was found while building the Bajura Airport, highlighting the possible demolition of an entire settlement at the hands of nature not too long ago.