Itahari, May 31:

An infuriated group of around 200 people today vandalised vehicles and created havoc for around half-an-hour on learning that their applications for the posts of officers and cadets in the Nepali Army were turned down.

Their march against the Nepali Army started at 7 am today. They later resorted to vandalising public vehicles and local shops at Birendra Chowk. Locals retaliated against the mob before the police arrived at the scene.

The area police office, Itahari, said it could not mobilise its force as most police personnel were engaged in other assignments. The 20 persons who were taken into control by the locals were later handed over to the police.

Among the arrested is Nepali Army’s Bishnu Dal Company, Rangeli’s Bikas GC, Nepali Army said. However, GC complained that he had been arrested mistakenly. Nepali Army backed GC’s claim.

The incident took place after the Nepali Army yesterday turned down all applications that were advertised in April.

The seven parties, in a press release today, alleged the army of “wilfully inciting the youths” involved in this morning’s incident.

The Ministry of Defence has expressed concern that the Nepali Army has been blamed in the incident.