Tanahaun, September 24:

Angry youths here last night vandalised the office of Vyas Cable TV at Vyas municipality-10 when they could not get to watch the final screening of Indian Idol.

The youths flew into a lather when the administration forbade them from watching the show on a giant screen along the road and vandalised the office of the cable TV operator. While one agitated group called for shutting down the cable line, another group pressed for relaying the show. Both groups then vandalised the office. The enraged mob pelted stones at the cable TV office.

Police watched mutely as the two groups vented their ire on the cable service provider.

Manager of Vyas Cable TV Shankar Narayan Shrestha said the optical fibre was damaged and the company suffered a loss of Rs 15 lakh. All equipment of the company has been ruined, said Shrestha adding that repair work had begun to resume relay. Damauli, Dumre, Kamlabari, Mapadah are all deprived of the cable service.

Tanahun chief district officer Kashinath Marasini said the police had to baton-charge to disperse the mob. He added that the telecast of the contest on giant screen was not allowed as there was the possibility of rival groups clashing. The enraged youths vandalised Namaste Cyber Cafe and six vehicles also, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghanshyam Aryal. Two civil police and two armed police personnel were injured the fracas. Tension prevailed in Damauli the whole night.

CDO Marasini said bus entrepreneurs blocked Prithvi Highway after the vehicles were vandalised. The blockade was lifted after an agreement was reached to pay compensation to bus owners and initiate action against the guilty. A five-member committee under the coordination of Ishwar Bista, president of the Damauli bazaar chapter of the Tanahun Chambers of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), has been formed to ensure the payment of compensation. Meanwhile, a trader Tara Ram Shrestha said Damauli remained closed the whole day today.