Update from Balkhu: Police lob tear gas

Kathmandu, 23 Nov: Police lobbed tear gas cells and used water cannons at demonstrators at Balkhu as the supporters of Durga Prasai tried to enter the market area near Kuleshwor.

No report of casualties but tension arises in the area.

It is said taht Rastriya Prajatantra Party member Gynendra Sahi went there and exchanged words supporting the demonstrators.

Prior to this, supporters of Durga Prasai, leader of the anti-corruption movement and that of Yuva Sangh, had clashed there.

Police, however, had intervened and chased the warring groups to different directions preventing any major violence.

The clash resulted as around 70 Yuba Sangh activists entered the Balkhu area that was allocated to the Prasai group by the administration.

Meanwhile, Yuba Sangh-Youth orginasition under incumbent opposition CPN-UML- led demonstration is being held at Tinkune.

The security has been tightened with security personnel from Nepal police, Armed police and the National investigation department personnel have been deployed and CCTV installed across the valley fearing the possible unrest during rallies and demonstrations.

Home ministry sources said Nepal Army has been kept on ‘reserve’ so that it could be deployed if the situation warranted.