DHARAN, September 14: A confrontation between youth from Khoria and Surya Basti in Dharan 15 resulted in one person sustaining serious injuries, and the residence of Deputy Mayor Aindra Bikram Begha being targeted with stone-throwing.
Bishnu Begha, the brother of Deputy Mayor Begha, suffered minor injuries during the incident, which was allegedly an act of revenge. Sandesh Rai from Surya Marga sustained severe injuries from sharp weapons and is currently receiving medical treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, as reported by the District Police Office, Sunsari.
As of Tuesday, the police had detained eight individuals in connection with the incident, including Deputy Mayor Begha's brother, Bishnu Begha. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with both sides accusing each other of retaliation involving weapons. Nabin Krishna Bhandari, the spokesperson and DSP of the District Police Office, Sunsari, stated that the incident is being thoroughly investigated.
The incident garnered attention after Deputy Mayor Begha contacted DSP Nawaraj Malla of Dharan and went live on Facebook, claiming that the police did not respond promptly to his call for help. During the live broadcast, it was revealed that the opposing group of youths had pelted stones at Deputy Mayor Begha's house while his brother sought refuge inside. District Police Office Spokesperson Bhandari remarked, "A confrontation occurred between two groups, followed by the stoning of the Deputy Mayor's residence. The truth of the incident will soon come to light."
Deputy Mayor Begha had resorted to live-streaming on Facebook because the police had not arrived at the scene despite being alerted by his office.
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DSP Malla from the District Police Office, Dharan, asserted that the police had indeed arrived promptly. “Three units were dispatched upon receiving information about the incident, and they reached the scene in a timely manner,” he stated, “A team led by a police inspector was also present.”
According to one of the youths from Khoria Basti, the root cause of Tuesday's incident lies in an ongoing feud between Bishnu Begha of Khoria Basti and Bisan Shrestha of Surya Basti. The youth shared during an investigation, "Previously, Bisan had attacked Bishnu, and Bishnu had been planning to take revenge for the same incident. There has been a longstanding rivalry between them."
Complaints have been registered by both parties in connection with the stone-throwing incident at Deputy Mayor Begha's residence. Bima Rai, the mother of Sandesh Rai from Surya Basti, who sustained serious injuries, has filed a complaint against five individuals, including Deputy Mayor Begha's brother, Bishnu Begha. Conversely, Bishnu Begha's brother, Buddhiman Begha, has lodged a complaint against the youths of Surya Basti for alleged criminal activities. Complaints have been filed against 11 individuals, including Sandesh Rai, who is undergoing treatment. Sunsari Police Spokesperson and DSP Bhandari noted that complaints have been received from both sides but further information cannot be disclosed further as they are part of an ongoing legal process.
Likewise, the Bajhgara consumer-led forestry communities of Dharan 15 have also filed a complaint with the police, demanding an investigation into the vandalism of their office and the punishment of the culprits. Following the altercation between the youths, the youths from Surya Basti broke the office's lock and took refuge inside the forest office on Tuesday night. Rajan Moktan, chairman of the forest group, confirmed that they had filed a complaint with the police.
