Eight police personnel injured in a scuffle with locals

KATHMANDU: At least eight police personnel, including two Inspectors sustained injuries in a scuffle between the police and Gatlang residents at Thambuchet in northern Rasuwa.

The clash took place on Sunday between the security personnel and residents of Gatlang who have been on agitation demanding shares of hydropower as the project’s most affected population.

The scuffle occurred when irate protestors had attempted to vandalize hydropower project vehicles and office infrastructures.

The injured are an Inspector and three police personnel of the Nepal Police and an Inspector and equal number of security personnel from the Armed Police Force.

Locals have accused the management and board of the Sanjen Hydropower Company of inviting clash with security personnel for not addressing their genuine demands.

According to the Company sources, the unruly mob had entered into the project office and vandalized Thambuchet-based office, a tipper, six high-lax vehicles, two loaders, six motorbikes and chairs and tables.

The joint security force comprising Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel had opened tear gas and firing to bring the tense situation under control.

According to the preliminary assessment, phycial property worth amounting to Rs 7.5 million was destroyed in the incident. Calculation of the loss and damage is underway, shared district police spokesperson Bishnu Pradeep Basyal.

Five locals were arrested in course of bringing the situation under control.