More than a dozen youth activists assaulted by Youth Union in Dhangadhi despite heavy police presence

Dhangadhi: Youth Union activists have assaulted youth protesters in Dhangadhi, where about two dozen youths participating in a peaceful demonstration were beaten in front of a large police deployment.

The protesters, who were holding placards on the street in front of the Dhangadhi Covered Hall in opposition to UML leader Mahesh Basnet, were attacked by Youth Union members arriving on motorcycles. The assault took place in full view of police personnel. Sarita Joshi, a leader from Dhangadhi-4, reportedly suffered a broken arm in the attack and was taken to Nisarga Hospital for treatment. Youth protesters also reported that Gopal Bohara and several others sustained minor injuries.

The assaulted youths accused the police of failing to protect them, alleging that Youth Union members carried out the attack unrestrained. Despite the deployment of hundreds of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel anticipating possible clashes, the protesters said the officers were unable to stop the attackers.

Efforts to contact police officials for clarification on how Youth Association members managed to attack Genji youths under such heavy security went unanswered.