Sanjay Lama, 28, of Dhading, currently based in Bharatpur, was killed following a dispute between the youths from the youth wings of the two political parties who had reached Korabari in Kabilas-5, Chitwan to extort money for khayar timber. [break]
Two Tarun Dal youths have been found to be directly involved in the incident that left Lama dead and his friend, Binod Lama of Bharatpur-12, injured, according to Chitwan Police.
Tarun Dal, however, has denied any involvement in the incident. YAN Central Committee Member Prakash Dhungana and Chitwan Chairman of UML Krishna Khanal refused to point finger at anybody saying that the investigations are going on.
But youths close to YAN held a press conference after the incident and accused Chitwan Chairman of Tarun Dal Shiva Poudel and other Tarund Dal cadres including Kumar Gurung, Yam Bahadur Karki, Pramesh Rai, Anil Pariyar, Bachan Karki, Sajan Gurung, Surendra Gurung, Luna and Suresh.
Sanjay´s friends, on the other hand, have claimed that they were attacked while returning to Chitwan from Kathmandu. "We were sitting outside the hotel after having lunch. Suddenly a gang, that came in a red vehicle and motorcycles opened fire on us," Binod said.
But police claimed that the incident is linked to extortion of money from the shipments of khayar timber. Police sources said the incident occurred when both the groups approached two trucks carrying the timber for extorting money at the same time. "They first took out sharp weapons but later resorted to shooting. Sanjay was hit when he tried to save his friend Niti," police sources said quoting eye witnesses.
Chief of Chitwan Police Rabindra Sharma said seven persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
“The groups had entered into brawl about khayar money even in the past,” said Sharma. Irate youths obstructed Prithvi Highway throughout the day and vandalized around half a dozen vehicles including three motorcycles parked inside the house of Tarun Dal Chitwan Chairman Shiva Poudel.
Injured Lama speaks to media.
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