Khotang, April 22

A dispute has flared up between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML over the alleged thrashing of a NC leader in Khotang on Friday.

UML cadres had reportedly thrashed Congress-aligned Nepal Tarun Dal’s Buipa president Sunil Shrestha yesterday, accusing him of trying to disrupt an election programme organised at Buipa’s Panchar Dobato in Rupakot Majhuwa municipality-14.

UML Khotang chair Babi Chamling said, “A group of Congress men showed up at our election-related programme waving party flags. They rode up and down the road, and past the venue. When we tried to stop them citing disturbance, they made it an issue.”  NC Khotang president Naresh Shrestha, however, contradicted the UML leader. “Our cadres were on the way to Bijayakharka on a party-related business when the UML cadres assaulted us near their programme venue and tore up our flags,” he said, describing the incident as premeditated.

A Congress team led by the district president reached Buipa on Friday evening. Security has been ramped up in Buipa keeping in mind possible violence. NC-aligned Nepal Student Union, Tarun Dal leaders and cadres picketed the Buipa Police Post demanding action.