Kathmandu, February 28:

The practice of throwing lolas (water-filled balloons) haphazardly at people has given a bad name to the Holi festival, which is celebrated to mark the victory of good over the evil.

Deepak Thangden, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, says the practice of throwing lolas is a transgression that needs to be checked. According to him, people regularly complain about the situation. “Police have begun nabbing some of those who are engaged in such activities.”

“Holi is more of a terror than a festival,” says Anjana Karki of Bagbazaar. “We get hit by water-filled balloons if we venture out of our houses.

“The Holi has ruined my life,” she says. Similar is the plight of others. Many people are injured by lolas. Ritis Maharjan of Satdobato says a lola hit him on Sunday, wrenching his neck and troubling him for two days.

Some people throw plastic bags filled with dirt and dirty water at others. “The government should come up with a policy to check it,” Maharjan says.

The legend has it that people started celebrating Holi after Lord Krishna killed Putana, who used to kill children of Gokul. Says Satya Mohan Joshi, a culture expert, “The festival has a long history and holds cultural significance. It used to be celebrated in a disciplined manner earlier.”