Kathmandu, December 11

An angry mob went on a rampage and vandalised the Metropolitan Police Beat at Nayabasti in Gokarneshwor Municipality-13 over the death of a taxi driver.

The mob armed with petroleum products and batons stormed into the two-storey building recently built with support from the locals and vandalised the office, windowpane, a television set, flowerpots and furniture besides setting three motorcycles on fire. They also pelted stones at the beat.

According to the Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari, dozens of vandals also overpowered five policemen, including the beat in-charge sub-inspector Sanjeev Napit, and thrashed them while making an attempt to torch the building with the cops inside at around 11:00 am.

Soon after the incident, reinforcement was rushed to the spot from the MPC, Bouddha and MPC, Gaushala to take the situation under control.

Riot police fired five warning shots into the air to disperse the mob.The MPO said the situation was brought under control after a one-hour struggle.

According to the MPO, Raj Kumar Lama, 36, of Bhimeshwor Municipality-12, Dolakha and currently residing in Nayabasti was found unconscious near his stationary taxi in Kumari temple area and died while being rushed to the local Stupa Community Hospital, Bouddha by their kin last night. He was said to be overdrunk.

However, the kin of the deceased have alleged that he was beaten to death in custody. They have demanded a fact-finding investigation into the case.

At least 18 suspects have been held for further investigation. Of them, 17 persons hail from districts other than Kathmandu.

The arrestees are Lakpa Sherpa, Devraj Magar, Kumar Khatri, Dambar Bahadur Tamang, Tej Prasad Gaitam, Ramdash Shrestha, Lal Bahadur Jirel, Bale Tajpuriya, Naresh Rajbanshi, Binita Tamang, Aung Nima Sherpa, Chhiring Sherpa, Dorje Tamang, Chandra Bahadur Lama, Man Bahadur Tamang, Rabindra Tamang, Bishnu Tamang and Hari Kumar Lama.