KATHMANDU: Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths who assembled at Pulchowk for organizing the ritual chariot procession of the Rato Machindranath, the deity of rain and good harvest.

The authorities had decided not to organize the procession to prevent the additional risk of coronavirus. However, many people, mostly youths, gathered at around 11 this morning, taking it as the auspicious hour for the procession.

Chief District Officer of Lalitpur, Narayan Prasad Bhatta said permission would not be granted to organize both the Machchhindranath procession and the Bhotojatra ritual until the risk of COVID-19 pandemic was over.

Many youths could be seen on the street chanting the slogan, “You can’t stop the festival; we don’t need higher authorities’ order. We want to continue with our tradition.”