KATHMANDU, June 9: Nepal Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the main opposition party Nepali Congress, on Saturday condemned Nepal Police for arresting notorious gangster Radha Krishna Bhandari aka Radhe from Dhading, who happens to be a local leader of Tarun Dal.

Tarun Dal accused the police of hatching a plot to kill him. Bhandari was arrested by the District Police Office (DPO), Dhading, on Wednesday on the charges of attempted murder.

Speaking at a press conference organized by Tarun Dal held at Nepali Congress headquarters in Sanepa on Saturday, chairman of the youth wing Jitjung Basnet demanded the government to ensure the safety of Bhandari, the vice president of Dhading chapter of the organization.

According to the youth organization, Bhandari was arrested for his alleged involvement in a dispute in Rorang Rural Municipality on Wednesday.

"Bhandari was arrested for his alleged involvement in a dispute at Tutedobhan of Rorang Rural Municipality, Dhading on June 5 after a local resident Janak Magar filed a fraud case with police against him," Basnet said, adding, “Police arrested Bhandari even though he was not involved in the dispute."

Refuting Tarun Dal's claim, the DPO informed Republica that Bhandari along with four of his accomplices was arrested on Wednesday for beating Magar while he was returning from a picnic in Benighat and extorting money from him.

Tarun Dal chair Basnet has accused the police of conspiring to murder Bhandari.

"We will be forced to launch protest against the police administration to save the life of Bhandari," he said, warning of a nation-wide protest if Bhandari is not set free.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shyam Kumar Mahato of the DPO said the gang members of Bhandari tried to attack the police team after being apprehended. Police confiscated a sharp knife in his possession.

“Since a person had filed a case against him accusing him of attempted murder, we had to arrest him,” he said, “Tarun Dal is politicizing the issue.”

Arrestee Bhandari is currently facing interrogation at the DPO, Dhading. On Friday, cadres and leaders of the student organization of NC submitted a memorandum to the District police Office demanding his immediate release.

 
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