Dhangadhi, November 26:

Forest offices in the far west and government offices in Kailali were shut down accusing police for failing to bring to book those who assaulted Kailali district forest officer Mana Bahadur Khadka on Tuesday.

Nearly a group of 50 Youth Force members affiliated to the CPN-UML entered the district forest office and attempted to smear black Khadka’s face yesterday.

The government employees in a meeting on the district development committee premises today said the protest was against the government for taking no action against the miscreants.

The protest rally, which began from the DDC, turned into a corner meeting at the district administration office. Speaking at the meeting, the office-bearers of employees’ unions warned that the government offices would remain shut until the government booked the guilty.

The YF cadres reportedly were furious at Khadka for not taking legal action against five persons accused of felling green Khayar trees in the national forest in Urma VDC adjacent to Dhangadhi municipality, Kailali district, last year. However, Khadka claimed that he issued arrest warrants against four accused contractors and ranger Dilip Singh Yadav was suspended on September 10.

Government employees in Tikapur district also organised a protest rally and shut the government offices.