Agitators protesting against the naming of Koshi province attempted to attack Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki in Okhaldhunga district on Monday.
A group of agitators tried to attack the car of Chief Minister Karki, who is in the district for various functions.
According to locals, activists from a joint fighting committee who had gathered at Gorumare Bhanjyang in Siddhicharan-11 township stopped Karki’s vehicle as he was driving to Siddhicharan-1 township amid tight security on Monday. They then tried to attack the vehicle carrying Karki, but the police thwarted their attempt.
The agitators, who showed up with black flags, also snatched the national flag from Karki’s vehicle.
“The agitators tried to cause obstruction,” said an Okhaldhunga police officer. “None of that could happen.”
Various organizations including Limbuwan, Khambuwan, Kirat Rai Yayokkha and Kirat Yakthung Chumlung have been organizing joint protests since the provincial assembly approved Koshi as the name of the province on March 1.
The situation in Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi province, was tense on Sunday as protesters held demonstrations in defiance of banning orders.
Chief Minister Karki has said that there will not even be a discussion about the name of the province. The agitators have opposed his statement.
