Dhankuta, August 4:

Twenty-two persons were hurt in a clash between police personnel and locals here last night and the Sindhuwa bazaar remained tense today.

Police held Santosh Shrestha after two groups playing pool in a local establishment clashed. Enraged at the arrest, locals swarmed the police post to seek Shrestha’s release. They claimed that the police accused him of having taken drugs and that they subjected him to third-degree treatment. In the ensuing clash, Lucky Lama, Arun Rai, Menuka Parajuli, Lakpa Sherpa and Sita Shrestha were severely injured.

Ten other locals sustained minor injuries. DSP Nar Bahadur KC said head constables Dev Das KC, Dinesh Shrestha and constables Dik Bahadur Niroula, Rajan Giri, Khadga Rai and Krishna Tamang were also injured in the fracas.

Santosh Shrestha has been taken to the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

A committee headed by CDO Tara Nath Gautam has been formed to probe the incident.

Gautam said the matter was settled after an agreement to provide medical treatment expenses to the injured and assurance that action will be taken against the guilty.

DSP KC said the police team tasked with patrolling the bazaar area had been shifted and other personnel appointed in their place.