Locals, on February 5, padlocked the regional offices of Jod Deer Tractors at Sorum and Nepalgunj Khajura Road in Parbatipur in protest against the company's alleged unfairness against a tractor owner, Ram Singh.

The tractor (plate number Na 7 Ta 518) broke the railing of the barrage and fell into the Rapti River. Two persons, 18-year-old Sunil Tharu and 25-year-old Churna Bahadur Tharu died on the spot when a tractor fell from the Sikta Barrage in front of Raptisonari Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and 3 on June 15. Tractor owner Ram Singh Tharu personally paid Rs 500,000 compensation to Sunil's family. However, Ram Singh did not get the insurance amount to repair his tractor from the company.