Birendranagar Municipality pays compensation after police misconduct
According to the municipality, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening during a roadside and footpath management operation at the City Bus Park in Ward No. 6.
KATHMANDU: Birendranagar Municipality has provided Rs 10,000 in compensation to a woman street vendor after a municipal police incident sparked public outrage.
The victim, 42-year-old Dhamila Chaulagain, originally from Kalikot and currently residing in Birendranagar–3, Surkhet, was reportedly mistreated by municipal police while selling kafal (wild fruits) on a roadside stall.
According to the municipality, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening during a roadside and footpath management operation at the City Bus Park in Ward No. 6.
During the operation, police allegedly overturned the vendor’s basket of kafal, causing the fruits to spill onto the ground, an act that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The viral footage triggered widespread criticism of the municipal police and the local government.
Following public backlash, the municipality issued a statement acknowledging the incident, announcing departmental action against the involved officers, and committing to providing compensation and relief to the victim.
Municipal spokesperson Tanka Prakash Lamichhane confirmed that the compensation amount was handed over to the victim by Mayor Mohan Maya Dhakal.
The municipality stated that it has taken the incident seriously and is moving forward with internal disciplinary measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
