Residents of Diktel-Chakhewabhanjyang road section staged a protest rally today demanding compensation for their land in Diktel of Khotang district. The residents of Solma, Nerpa, Dorpa and Bajhechyandanda held a rally saying the government had begun preparations to widen the 47-kilometre Diktel-Chakhewabhanjyang road for black-topping without providing compensation to the concerned land owners. The rally began from Ratnapark and converged into a corner meet at Bhanuchowk after submitting a memo at the District Administration Office. The locals have formed a pressure committee in coordination with Ram Kaji Rai, local, to persuade the stakeholders to provide compensation before they begin the black-topping of the road. The locals have demanded that the government begin the black-topping only after distribution of compensation to the land owners. “Many locals have been displaced after the government requisitioned 62 metres land for the road. We have no option but to intensely raise our voice for compensation. We are not against development, but those who have been displaced should be reinstated,” demanded Rai.