Mounting security challenge for by-election
Pokhara, November 27
The bomb explosion near the venue where Nepal Communist Party Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal was attending a mass meeting has posed security challenge to the by-election in Pokhara.
Since nominations were filed for the by-election slated for November 30, three bomb blasts have occurred in Pokhara.
An improvised explosive device went off at a place near the Office of Chief Election Officer on November 7. A bomb exploded at the garage of chairperson of Pokhara Metropolis-33 Shivraj Acharya on November 25. Acharya’s vehicle was damaged in the explosion.
An explosion of a powerful IED near the venue of the mass meeting attended by Dahal has only underlined the security challenge.
The bomb exploded 200 metres away from the venue of the mass meeting today when NCP parliamentary party deputy leader Subash Chandra Nembang was addressing the mass meeting at Exhibition Centre of Pokhara’s Nayabazaar. Police have arrested two persons suspecting their involvement in the incident.
Five persons were injured in the incident. A vehicle belonging to the municipality was damaged.
According to Province Police Office, Pokhara, Dhanmaya Sunar, Ramila Sarki, Janaki Pokhrel, Purnama BK and Krishna Gurung Adhikari were injured when they fell down after the blast. All of them are being treated at a hospital in Pokhara.
After the blast, a police team led by District Police Office Kaski DSP Raj Kumar KC reached the incident site.
A large number of APF and Nepal police personnel were deployed for Dahal’s security.
It is reported that additional volunteers have also been mobilised.
Dahal returned to the Capital in a chopper.
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