KATHMANDU: A clash ensued between police and protesters as the former intervened at a rally organised by valley-residents to protest the state's 'illegitimate' encroachment of private property and heritage sites in the name of road expansion and other development projects.

People had gathered at Maitighar Mandala on Wednesday afternoon to protest the 'development' initiatives that do not take into account the human, social and cultural aspects into consideration. They gathered mass then began to march toward New Baneshwar when the security personnel interrupted the peaceful march, stopping them from approaching the prohibited zone.

The police charged at the protesters with tear gas shells, water canons and batons. About a dozen people were arrested. As many as eight people were injured in the clash.

The people had protested against the outer Ring-Road Project, Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway, Bagmati corridor, high-tension power line and satellite city projects stating that the state is so obsessed with infrastructural enhancement that it negates the unseen human values and rights that are violated in the process. People of these areas have neither been consulted with nor have they been compensated by the state on encroachment of their lands.

Heritage and nature conservationists, and other social activists had joined the rally, expressing their solidarity. People have been expressing their displeasure over such initiatives that could violate the native Newars from their rights to their own land, while also posing a threat to their heritage.