Himal Press 
POKHARA: Police have arrested Ramchandra Adhikari, ward chairperson of Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC)–33, for allegedly attempting to attack protesters with a khukuri on Friday.
Local residents had padlocked the ward office to protest a decision to build a waste processing centre at Punditar in Pokhara–33. Protesters claimed that Adhikari attempted to attack those involved in the padlocking.
Adhikari was not at the office when the protest began. However, as the demonstration continued, he arrived at the site brandishing a khukuri knife. Police immediately arrested him.
Angry protesters also pelted stones at Adhikari’s vehicle.
The landfill site has long been a contentious issue in Pokhara. Recently, PMC signed a contract with a construction company to construct a landfill at Jhakri Khola in Ward-33. Locals of the area have opposed the decision.
Currently, Pokhara Metropolitan City is disposing of its garbage at Lemeahal, near Pokhara International Airport, as a temporary measure.
