Pokhara tense after demonstrators try to breach prohibitory order

GANDAKI: Tension erupted at Sahidchowk of Pokhara today after the cadres of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) tried to breach a prohibitory order implemented by the District Administration Office, Kaski.

The order has been in effect at Sahid Chowk and Gairapatan of Kaski since this morning in view of the schedule to present RSP President Rabi Lamichhane before the court today.

The party President has remained in police custody on the charge of his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of the cooperative funds.

In response to the protestors’ attempts to enter restricted areas, police deployed water cannons and lobbed teargas to disperse the mob.

The District Administration has prohibited the gatherings of people above five for sit-ins, demonstrations, rallies, and assemblies from Waichowk to the east of Shahid Chowk, Fishtail Gate to the west, the Land Revenue Office to the north, and Mustang Chowk to the south. The restrictions also apply to the road area stretching from Palikhechowk to Navin Secondary School in Gairapatan.

According to Chief District Officer Bharat Mani Paudel, the order shall remain in effect until the next notice.

The order was issued with the commencement of demonstrations in favour and against the apprehension of Lamichhane who was brought to Pokhara on Saturday morning following his arrest in Kathmandu on Friday.

He faces allegations of his involvement in the misappropriation of the funds of Pokhara-based Suryadarshan Cooperatives.  He was presented to the District Court, Kaski today.