Kathmandu, November 5

Many of Kathmandu denizens complained of acrid smell last night, which they described as the odour emanating from incineration of human or animal hair and skin. Some people took to social media today to find out the cause of the smell.

But general public and police are clueless about the origin of the smell.

“We have heard people talking about charcoal-like smell wafting through the air last night. But, we have not been able to find out where that smell came from,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati at Metropolitan Police Range, Teku.

Mysansar.com, a blog, reported that people of Kusunti, Manbhawan, Pulchowk, Chyasal, Ghachhen, Kumaripati, Satdobato, Chakupat and Sankhamul in Lalitpur district complained about the odour. As many as 97 people have complained about bad smell on Facebook page Rato Machhindranath-Bunga Dyo.

Lalitpur police had caught three persons, who were setting fire to animal bones in Nakkhu area last night.

“They told us owners of slaughter houses had paid them to dispose the animal remains. We have handed them over to Lalitpur Metropolitan City Office,” said DSP Gautam Mishra at Satdobato Police Circle.

But it is not only in Lalitpur where people complained of the odour. People in New Road, Dhobighat, Baneshwor and Thapa Gaun have also complained of the bad smell.