KATHMANDU: Mayor Balen Shah issued a threat to ignite a fire at Singha Durbar in retaliation for an incident where the traffic police halted a vehicle affiliated with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

Mayor Shah, in a scathing remark, referred to the current government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as “thief” and ominously declared his intention to set Singha Durbar ablaze.

According to sources within the traffic police, a government vehicle bearing an official license plate was stopped while en route from Balkumari to Koteshwar around 9 pm on Saturday night.

The traffic police on duty questioned the driver about the presence of a permit to operate a government vehicle on a public holiday.

The brief stoppage, lasting approximately three minutes, ended with the vehicle being allowed to proceed, accompanied by a reminder from the traffic police regarding the necessity of carrying a government pass while driving on public holidays and Saturdays.

Mayor Shah subsequently vented his frustration on social media, stating, “For now, we will let it slide. However, if the government attempts to stop a vehicle from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the future, I will not hesitate to set Singha Durbar on fire.”

He went further to label the government as “a government of thieves.”

Authorities clarified that the police on duty had simply sought to confirm the driver’s authorization for operating a government vehicle on a Saturday.

According to insider reports, a female passenger was present in the car.

Sources also suggested that Mayor Shah contacted the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Jitendra Basnet, late at night following the vehicle stoppage in Koteshwar, seeking an explanation for the scrutiny of Kathmandu Metropolitan City vehicles.