Mayor Balen Shah accuses police of failing to assist KMC

Kathmandu, October 9 — Mayor Balen Shah of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has accused the police of not providing assistance. He claimed that although the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) entrusted the responsibility of the Pashupati Dharmshala to the metropolitan city, the police are instead supporting the Marwadi Sewa Samiti.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah stated, “The Marwadi Sewa Samiti has unlawfully taken control of 9 ropanis, 9 annas, and 2 paisa of land under the name of the Gaushala Dharmshala, having paid only a few thousand rupees over the years. The court has ruled that their claim is invalid, so the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has to take responsibility. Now, when the metropolitan city tries to manage the Dharmshala to provide free meals and medical treatment to the needy, the Nepal Police intervenes to protect that committee. It seems the country is run by such committees.”

On Tuesday, a seven-point agreement was reached between the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the PADT, granting management responsibility for the Dharmshala to the metropolitan city. However, when officials attempted to vacate the Dharmshala on Wednesday, members of the committee protested, and Shah accused the police of siding with them.