CHITWAN: A police personnel was injured while dousing the fire at the barrier that was set ablaze by a group of people, along the East-West Highway in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-12, of Chitwan district. The arson attack was carried out in the office by the barrier post for collecting road tax.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dipendra Shah at Chitwan District Police Office, on-duty Assistant Sub Inspector of Police (ASI) Kalpana Khadka was injured while dousing the fire set by a group of around 30 to 40 people after splashing petrol at the barrier and the counter, at around 11:00 am today.

DSP Shah said, Khadka has sustained critical injuries from the fire that caught her head, body and arms. Khadka has been receiving treatment at Chitwan Medical College.

Likewise, the counter stall by the barrier has been completely destroyed in the arson attack.

It has been learnt that the denizens of eastern Chitwan had already submitted a memo demanding the removal of the barrier.

Police have arrested the president of Restaurant and Bar Association, Sauraha, Gokarna Giri on the charge of carrying out the arson attack.

Moreover, DSP Shah alleged that the arson attack was carried out under the supervision of Chitwan Constituency 1 "Kha" Provincial Assembly member Krishna Khanal who was at the incident site, while the lawmaker has denied the allegation and pointed towards the irate locals.

Further, the provincial lawmaker warned that the locals would no more tolerate the arbitrary collection of road tax conducted by the police administration. He opined that the barrier should be shifted to the district border area as locals had to pay the tax every time they visit the district headquarters.

Locals of Sauraha including Ratnanagar, Khairahani, Kalika and Rapti Municipality in eastern Chitwan have to cross the barrier to reach Bharatpur, the district headquarters.