Businessmen accuse CDO of extortion

BIRGUNJ: Local entrepreneurs have accused the Chief District Officer of Parsa, Durga Bhandari, of extorting money from businessmen, instead of improving the security situation of the district.

A team led by chairman of Birjung Chamber of Commerce, Ganesh Lath, warned that the businessmen would take to the streets if the CDO didn't stop extorting them. CDO Bhandari, who has been just transferred from Sunsari, has reportedly formed three teams for collecting donation from the businessmen in the name of monitoring the market.

A source said the teams deployed by CDO Bhandari have collected more than Rs 2 million forcefully within the period one month.

Member of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Bijaya Sarawagi said, "The victims do not talk about the incident for fear of getting into trouble."

Chief District Officer Bhandari, however, claimed that he hadn't sent the teams to collect money, adding, "I would investigate into the case." He said some journalists were taking advantage of DAO staffers.