Eight arrested so far in connection with the incident
DOLAKHA, May 11: With the first phase of the local polls just three days away, rivalry has intensified among the political parties to such a level that they no longer hesitate to resort to violence in order to silence their competitors. This very mentality has led to the death of a son of a CPN-UML election candidate in Dolakha district Tuesday night.
The victim -- Kul Bahadur Tamang, 33 -- is a son of UML worker Gore Tamang, who is contesting for ward member of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality-2.
Cadres of the main opposition UML had clashed with cadres of the ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) at Junga of Gaurishankar during their election campaigns on Tuesday evening. Local administration of the district informed that the clash started at around 9 pm.
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UML cadre Kul Bahadur sustained severe injuries in the clash. He succumbed to the injuries while being rushed to a hospital in the district headquarters, Charikot.
In the same brawl, a local teacher Dil Bahadur Budhathoki, who is believed to be close to the UML, and Maoist Center's candidate for ward-chairman Bharat Karki, have sustained serious injuries.
Budhathoki has been referred to Kathmandu after undergoing preliminary treatment at in the district.
He is currently undergoing treatment at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in the capital.
UML lawmaker Parbat Gurung said that the cadres of the Maoist Center attacked UML cadres when they were resting and eating supper at a house after the day's election campaign.
Devi Khadka, a leader of the Maoist Centre, however claimed that a group of UML cadres had first attacked Maoist cadres including herself at Duwari of the same village earlier on Tuesday leading to the second clash in the evening. "We requested the UML cadres to maintain peace but they started throwing stones and beer bottles at us and the clash began as our cadres also hit back," claimed Khadka.
After the incident was reported to the local administration, Chief District Officer (CDO) Yagyaraj Bohora and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabin Karki mobilized a police team in the site of the incident. The team, lead by inspector Nawaraj Neupane, rescued Tamang and Budhathoki at midnight but Tamang succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital.
UML leaders, including party chair KP Sharma Oli, have condemned the incident and demanded action against the guilty.
Police have detained eight individuals so far in connection with the clash, informed CDO Bohora. "A police team led by DSP Karki has reached Jungu of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality and started investigation. At least eight people have been detained so far," he informed.
The whole village is in mourning after the unfortunate incident. They are also worried about retaliation. And some villagers are worried that the elections may not take place at all.
