KHOTANG, August 20
A historic public chautara believed to be around 200 years old has disappeared from Hospital Chowk in Diktel Bazaar, Khotang, with locals alleging that the site has been encroached upon and converted into the courtyard of a private house.
The chautara was closely associated with the religious, cultural, and social traditions of local communities, including the Newa, Basnet, Khadka, and Damai communities. Locals say it was traditionally used for funeral rites, ancestor worship, and other religious and social ceremonies.
According to Diktel Bazaar Social Guthi Chairperson Bishnukumar Shrestha ‘Syande’, a private house was built on adjacent land in 2078 BS, after which the chautara site was levelled and incorporated into the courtyard.
Land records show two parcels at the site registered as public chautara and public water-spout land. An old stone water spout known as Mul Dhara still remains there.
Locals filed a complaint with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in July, five years after the chautara disappeared. The office has instructed the District Administration Office, Khotang, to investigate the alleged encroachment.
The alleged land encroacher, Narayankaji Shrestha, has denied the accusation, claiming that he built his house entirely on his own land.
