Locals of Chhahare VDC in the east of Nuwakot district obstructed the Trishuli-Kathmandu section of highway protesting the manhandling of two locals in Kathmandu yesterday during the press conference of Finance Minister's Personal Assistant, Ramesh Kumar Mahat. They blocked the road by burning tires and have vowed to continue the obstruction until those involved in the manhandling are punished. People from 30 VDCs towards the east of Nuwakot have been badly affected due to the roadblock. Accusing Mahat of taking zinc sheets to Kathmandu for sale, locals in Nuwakot took the truck under control on Friday. A press conference was held in the capital on Sunday to clarify the issue. The quake-hit school was taken under control by locals for allegedly trying to sell zinc sheets that were to be distributed.Ram Sharan Mahat's personal secretary Ramesh Kumar Mahat's party cadres assaulted the questioner. Although the seized zinc sheets were said to be 270 bundles, only 169 bundles were found during the inspection, said Niraula, chairman of the Disaster Relief Committee. Locals of more than 30 VDCs in the eastern part of Nuwakot have been affected after the road closure. After a lot of controversy over a tripper zinc sheet taken by the locals on Friday, the concerned body should immediately investigate, Locals said that the road was closed demanding action against the perpetrators of the attack on locals Krishna Vohra and Shiva Vohra and investigation into the tripper driver. The District Disaster Relief Committee has taken initiative to open the road and investigate the issue after the road was closed. The District Disaster Relief Committee has kept the tripper (Ba 3 Kha 3844) along with its driver at the Army Training Center in Maithali until the investigation is completed. Locals have protested by burning tires on the road section. The tripper of Zastapata Woko was surrounded by the locals while the police provided security to the tripper. Nepal Instrument Bank had 270 bundles for the construction of schools in Kanagau, Kavilas, Panchakanya, Bhadrutar, Chaughda, and Mahakali VDCs under Area No. 2 of Nawakot. The quake victims have taken under control 270 bundles of zinc sheets brought for the reconstruction of schools in Chaughda and Mahakali VDCs.The locals took control of the tripper which was carrying 300 bundles and 30 bundles to Thatibhanyang of Kavilas for Bhadrutar and Mahakali VDCs.