Police have arrested chairperson of ward no 5 of Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality in Khotang Khagendra Rai and other three persons on Monday on the charge of thrashing a local youth.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Bamdev Gautam, ward chairperson Rai and three others arrested acting on an FIR lodged against him. Mahesh Rai, 30, a resident of Sapteshwar accused the chairperson and three others of beating him on Friday night. 

Relatives of injured Mahesh Rai have registered an FIR at Baksila-based Area Police Office demanding stringent action against the chairperson and his supporters. An investigation into the incident is underway, DSP Gautam added. 

Mahesh, who sustained serious injuries, has been sent to Kathmandu for further treatment. Relatives claimed that several blue marks have been spotted on the head, chest and other body parts of Mahesh. 

Disputes between them erupted during a meeting to form a user’s group to build the ward office. In the meeting held on Friday afternoon, ward chairperson Rai was firm in renewing the old committee while Mahesh Rai group had opted for new group formation. 

Following the dispute, chairperson Rai along with his gang proceeded to the house of local Dewan Rai. Mahesh also went there to learn about the incident, and he was brutally attacked, locals said. 

Disputes heightened as Mahesh Rai aspired for secretary of the consumer’s committee whereas chairperson Khagendra Rai insisted that previous committee should be revived. 

Meeting, therefore, ended inconclusively. 

Devan Rai told Republica Online that the previous committee had been controversial over its transparency. “Ward Chair Rai had come to my house at night accusing me of messing up the meeting. Mahesh got informed and also approached my house. Meanwhile, he was charged by the gang of the chairperson,” Devan Rai added.