KATHMANDU, Dec 23: The in-charge of Metropolitan Police Circle Office, Kirtipur lost his loaded pistol as tension gripped Khahare, Kirtipur on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley after locals clashed with police following vandalism at a cooking gas refilling plant, Tuesday.
According to SP Bishwa Raj Pokharel, spokesperson of Metropolitan Police Range Office, Teku, a pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition went missing during the clash. “Locals vandalized the refilling plant of Everest Gas after they failed to provide refilled gas cylinders as promised,” SP Pokharel said.
Police had to lob teargas shells and bring in reinforcements to control the situation after the locals turned violent and pelted stones at the plant, according to police. However, the locals said they were thrashed by goons hired by the plant owner and police used unnecessary force, leaving some locals injured.
A police squad had rushed to the site when they were informed of the clash. “While bringing the aggressive crowd under control, a pistol possessed by DSP Tika Bahadur KC was seized by the locals, and the police were still clueless about the whereabouts of the weapon as of late evening,” SP Pokharel said.
Metropolitan Police Range Office had deployed reinforcements at the clash site under the command of DSP Rewati Dhakal.
Police have arrested eight people on the charge of vandalizing and seizing a weapon from a police officer on duty.
“Those arrested have denied any involvement in seizing the weapon but investigations are ongoing,” police said. Dozens of police were deployed in the area till late evening to search for the missing gun.
Five police personnel sustained minor injuries in the clash.
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