Junior officials at Nepalgunj police battalion hold their commanders hostage at gunpoint

In what looked like a mutiny, junior officials at a police battalion in Nepalgunj, Banke district, have held their commanders hostage at gunpoint on Saturday.

Reports said at least six gunshots were heard around 12:30 pm inside the riot police battalion located near Pushpalal Chowk. It was not immediately clear if there was any violence during the siege, as nobody was allowed to go inside.

A huge crowd of local residents and media persons had formed outside the police office after gunshots were heard inside.

The police jawans are said to have resorted to this action complaining of ill-treatment by the senior officials, and poor quality of ration, among others. However, this is yet to be corroborated independently.

A report quoting a sub-inspector said that the head of the battalion, SSP Parashuram Khatri, and few other officers have been taken under control at the fitness centre.

Three civilians, who were inside the fitness centre when the siege began, were set free a few hours later.

A team of Armed Police Force (APF) had tried to go inside to control the situation, but was forced to back off.

In a similar incident a few weeks earlier, junior officials at the APF battalion in Shumshergunj had 'revolted' against their commanders. Some senior officers were injured in that incident. nepalnews.com mk July 12 08