RSP to stage protest ahead of Lamichhane’s possible extension of remand

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: The leaders and cadres of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are set to hit the streets of Pokhara again on Tuesday to protest the arrest of their chairman Rabi Lamichhane. The protest will coincide with the move of the police to present former Home Minister Lamichhane at the Kaski District Court on Tuesday to request an extension of judicial custody.

Posting a status on Facebook, the RSP has called on its supporters to assemble at Ghanti Ghar, Zero Kilometer, of Pokhara at 10:30 am on Tuesday to protest against the alleged political vendetta of the ruling coalition against the RSP chairman. Police arrested Lamichhane from the party’s central office in Kathmandu on October 18 to investigate his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of funds of Pokhara-based Suryadarshan Cooperative. In response, the leaders and supporters of the party have been protesting against the arrest at various locations across the country.

According to officials from the District Police Office (DPO), Rupandehi, the Rupandehi District Court has also issued an arrest warrant against Lamichhane for the investigation into his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of the funds of Supreme Cooperative. Speculations are rife that Lamichhane might be taken to Rupandehi to face the court if his judicial remand at Kaski is not extended on Tuesday.

However, police have not made any preparations to transport Lamichhane to Rupandehi in case the Kaski District Court does not extend his remand. As per the DPO, Kaski, no team of police from the DPO, Rupandehi has reached Pokhara as of Monday evening to take Lamichhane to Rupandehi. Chief of DPO, Rupandehi, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjit Singh Rathore informed Republica that the police are expecting a hassle-free extension of Lamichhane’s remand and that is the reason why they have not even considered sending a team to Pokhara.

Previously, the RSP had put off its protests against the arrest of chairman Lamichhane until after the Chhath festival. Although Lamichhane remained in custody, the party intended to resume its agitation in Kaski after the festive season. Lawmaker DP Aryal, the RSP vice chairman and coordinator of the movement, had explained that protests outside Kaski were temporarily halted to allow members to focus on the celebrations of Tihar and Chhath.