Bharatpur tense as rickshaw drivers and police clash 

KATHMANDU, July 25: Rickshaw drivers and police clashed in Bharatpur on Wednesday. Incoming media reports claim that police fired teargas at the protesting rickshaw drivers to bring the situation under control.

Clashes erupted after the police intervened in the demonstration staged by the rickshaw drivers and owners to protest against the Bharatpur Metropolitan City’s recent decision to bar all three wheelers from plying on East West highway from July 21.

According to Chitwan Police Chief SP Sushil Singh Rathour, the protesters set a motorcycle on fire at the police station. They also hurled stones at the police and vandalized few vehicles. A few have been reported injured in the clash.

The rickshaw pullers had filed a case in the district court demanding the annulment of the decision taken by the metropolis. However, the district court heard the case in favor of the metropolis on July 21.

Since the decision, the three-wheelers operating in the district have been protesting against the decision from the streets.