Normal life in parts of Chitwan was paralaysed since early Monday morning after an 18-year-old youth died and several more were injured in a clash with police that ensued after the latter tried to break up an obstruction in the traffic movement created by local youths on the eve of Maha Shivaratri festival in the district yesterday evening.

Rabin Gurung of Simbhanjgyang, who was seriously injured in the police beating, breathed his last while receiving medical care at the Bharatpur Hospital yesterday.

Police personnel deployed in Mugling for security in the highway had beaten Gurung and other youths while they were forcibly collecting money from drivers by hanging a rope across the road along the Mugling-Narayanghat road section.

The youths from Chandibhangyang-9 had been blocking the road as per the practice of youths hanging rope across the road to collect money from drivers to celebrate Maha Shivaratri festival.

Enraged locals have called Chitwan bandh today to protest against the death of Gurung in police action. They have blocked Mungling-Narayangadh road stretch by placing logs and stones in the middle of road due to which traffic in the busy highway has come to a grinding halt.

The Mungling locals are demanding action against the police and proper compensation for the kin of the deceased. nepalnews.com