Khukuri chaos: Tensions flare at UML party office!

Kathmandu, October 27 — Tension arose at the ruling party CPN (UML) office in Chyasal after a party worker arrived with a khukuri (a curved short sword with a broad blade). A video of the confrontation between two groups, involving the khukuri, has been released.

The incident occurred before a secretariat meeting called by the UML-affiliated Democratic Federation of Indigenous Nationalities on Saturday, when a worker brought a khukuri in a bag, leading to a commotion and a struggle over the weapon.

There has been ongoing conflict between the federation's president, Pasang Sherpa, and the general secretary, Pemba Bhote. Recently, the Sherpa faction had taken action against Bhote, stripping him of his responsibilities, which angered Bhote’s supporters.

According to sources, the Bhote faction was prepared to attend the meeting on Saturday. Upon realizing that the Bhote group was entering, the Sherpa faction allegedly brought the khukuri.

UML leader and sister organization coordination in-charge Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal stated that a ruckus was created at the party office after Bhote was stripped of his responsibilities.

“The secretariat meeting had relieved General Secretary Pemba Bhote of his duties. In dissatisfaction with this, they were protesting,” Dhakal told Ratopati. “It seemed better to address this in the central committee meeting. However, since the secretariat meeting made that decision, the organization supported it. That’s what the colleagues were agitated about.”

Dhakal claimed he was unaware of the khukuri situation.

“It wasn’t a case of khukuri fighting; the party office and residences are all there. We have flags to make and other things to do; the canteen is right there. It’s natural to have those resources, but someone must have exaggerated that a weapon was found,” he said.