Locals clash with police in Panchthar over local restructuring

PHIDIM: At least three persons were injured when security personnel and locals, who took to streets demanding rectification of recommendations on local restructuring, clashed in Phidim, the district headquarters of Panchthar in eastern Nepal, on Friday.

A clash broke out after the protestors went to gherao the District Development Committee building while a meeting of the Local Restructuring Technical Committee was underway.

Their demands include keeping Ranitar VDC intact and making Phalgunanda Gaunpalika (village institution) instead of Nagarpalika (municipality).

Police resorted to lathi charge after the protestors pelted stones at the DDC and the LRTC offices.

Local residents have been protesting since November 6, a day after the local political parties and the LRTC recommended the formation of Phalgunanda Municipality including Aangsarag, Imbung, Chilingdin and Phaktep VDC with its centre in Yasok.

Locals have expressed their dissatisfaction over separation of Ward No. 9 of Ranitar VDC and attaching it to Chhintapau Gaunpalika, and making Yashok the centre of proposed Phalgunanda Municipality without proper infrastructure.

Also, protestors have demanded that Tharpu be made the centre of Yangwarak Gaunpalika.