KATHMANDU: Tensions escalated in Pokhara, Kaski, when police deployed tear gas to disperse fights between themselves and members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). RSP members' attempts to reach a restricted area led to altercations with police enforcement, which sparked the incident.
The recent arrest of RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, who was brought to the Kaski District Court in Pokhara on Sunday for a prison extension, serves as the backdrop for the protests. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) detained Lamichhane on Friday in Kathmandu on suspicion of cooperation fraud.
His followers' protests have escalated since his detention, and a sizable crowd has flocked to the streets. Increased tensions are reflected in the mood in Pokhara, where there is a noticeable presence of both police and RSP supporters.
The issue was exacerbated over the weekend by protests led by well-known RSP leaders. The Suryadarshan Cooperative victims are protesting and holding a rally just 50 meters from the RSP supporters at the same time as these demonstrations.
In an effort to control the situation and stop it from getting worse, police have been obstructing demonstrators from both parties. Despite these initiatives, the situation deteriorated, particularly after Lamichhane was arrested.
Tensions increased earlier today, resulting in altercations between RSP supporters and the police. An increasingly combative attitude resulted from protesters disobeying a banning order issued by the Kaski District Administration Office.
The use of tear gas by law officials to quell the protests and preserve local order highlights how severe the situation is. The dispute draws attention to the sharp political differences and strong feelings surrounding Lamichhane's detention.
The relationship between RSP supporters and the police is still tense as the protests go on, suggesting that things could get worse. The resolution of these tensions in Pokhara will depend heavily on how the protesters and the government react.
