Gun-wielding gangs clash in Bhaktapur

BHAKTAPUR: A fight that broke out over a disputed road tender left Sallaghari of Bhaktapur tensed throughout the day, today. A teenager was fataly injured in the melee, Deepak Dhungana from Metropolitan Police Range, Bhaktapur told The Himalayan Times. “The gangs from Bhaktapur and Kavre fought a pitched battle,” he said. Wangde Lama, 22, with bullet injuries is receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Dhungana said the police have apprehended some youths involved in the fight. The police have however not disclosed their identities. The police have also taken hold of 13 motorcycles from the scene. Police in its preliminary investigation said Lama was shot by a gangster from Bhaktapur. Details of the incident is sketchy as investigations continue, Dhungana informed. Eyewitnesses at Sallaghari said pistol-and-khukuri-wielding gangsters were chasing each other. They also heard bullet shots. However, Basanta Lal Shrestha, chief of Division Road Office, Bhaktapur maintained that the office was largely peaceful.