Eight injured as RSP cadres and police clash in Chitwan

CHITWAN: Cadres of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have clashed with police here today.

The skirmish took place as the RSP party workers were staging a demonstration calling for the release of RSP President Rabi Lamichhane.

Eight policemen have sustained injuries in course of the clash, said Gautam Mishra, the Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office Chitwan.

The clash occurred as the demonstrators tried to block the way leading to the Government Attorney Office.

SP Mishra said the police had to use teargas and water cannon to stop the demonstrators after they started throwing stones at the police.

The injured police personnel are undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Hospital.

“Police have not used force. The eight policemen have been injured due to stones thrown by the demonstrators,” SP Mishra said.

According to him, the clash ensued after the demonstrators breached the prohibited area in front of the District Police Office while calling for Lamichhane’s release.

RSP Chitwan President Krishna Bhusal said 16 demonstrators have been injured in the clash and they are being treated at the Bharatpur Community Hospital, the Narayani Community Hospital, the Dev Hospital, among other health facilities.

The Government Attorney Office is recording statement of the RSP President in a case of cooperative fraud.

Police on Tuesday brought Lamichhane to Chitwan from Kathmandu for taking his statement as he faces charges of misappropriating the money of depositors at the Sahara Cooperatives here.

The RSP President faces charges of siphoning off Rs 108 million from Sahara Cooperatives to Gorkha Media where he was the Managing Director.