ITAHARI, Jan 22: Itahari municipality chapter of CPN-UML has objected to the formation of a police probe team to investigate into Thursday´s incident in which UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal was slapped by a local man.
The local administration has formed a probe team headed by SSP Mingmar Lama. Police Chief of Sunsari district SP Bhupal Kumar Bhandari and Inspector Shyamal Subba are members of the team.[break]
Local UML leaders demanded that the government form a high-level probe body for the purpose. “The case shouldn´t be treated as a minor issue since a top leader was slapped,” Yam Kumar Subba, a UML leader, said at a press meet. He also objected to the police´s decision to transfer Devi Prasad Regmi, who slapped Khanal, to district police office. “Therefore, we strongly object to the activities carried out by the police team,” Subba said.
Regmi had slapped Khanal while the latter was busy welcoming hundreds of local youths who joined the UML party during a function in Itahari.
Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Thapaliya said objection by local UML leaders to the formation of the probe team was a normal reaction.
Meanwhile, locals at Regmi´s village have launched “Help Devi Prasad” campaign to provide him financial support for his bail. Ramji Karki, a member of the committee headed by Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, said they formed the committee with a view to take initiatives to collect money for his bail.