KATHMANDU: Police have detained 14 individuals in connection with a confrontation with law enforcement officials in Shankharapur-3, Lapsiphedi, Kathmandu.
Four people were apprehended yesterday, followed by an additional 10 individuals detained this morning.
Among the recent arrests, 10 including Ranjit Tamang, the president of the Tamakoshi Hydropower Victims’ Struggle Committee. Friday night’s detainees comprised Jayman Waiwa, Suryaman Tamang, Sun Bahadur Waiwa, and Harkaman Waiwa.
The clash erupted between locals and the police over a dispute concerning the establishment of a substation by the Nepal Electricity Authority and the positioning of a security post at Lapsiphedi.
Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer (CDO), Jitendra Basnet, disclosed that a decision was made during a meeting of the District Security Committee to install an armed police base camp and a Nepal Police post, led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, to safeguard the substation. Subsequently, a police team arrived in Lapsiphedi on Friday. However, locals obstructed the road by felling trees and assaulting the security personnel with stones.
CDO Basnet reported that three security personnel, including DSP Devraj Rai, sustained injuries during the altercation with locals.
Surya Bahadur Tamang, Chairman of Shankharapur Municipality Ward No. 3, expressed the locals’ demand against situating the substation in the heart of the settlement.
He highlighted that when the police arrived on Friday, locals were peacefully demonstrating their demands. Tamang emphasized that the clash ensued during this demonstration.
Ward chairman Tamang stated, “Yesterday (Friday), four individuals were apprehended by the police. Even today (Saturday) morning, the police are conducting house-to-house searches.”
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