Tensions ran high in Putalisadak on Sunday after the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) resorted to demonstration demanding an immediate release of its leaders who were arrested on the charge of illegal arms possession.

Cadres of the Nepali Congress-aligned student union eventually clashed with the police in front of Shankar Dev Campus.

Police had arrested former NSU Joint General Secretary Sachit Sharma, Free Students’ Union president at Shankar Dev Campus, Shuvaram Basnet along with Rakesh Bikram Shahi, Leela Bahadur Khadka and John Khadka with weapons.

Police claimed that the licence for one of the guns had not been renewed. “Carrying weapons without renewed licence is illegal,” said Kharel. The NSU leaders were reportedly arrested at 3 am after their activities were found to be suspicious.

The NSU also demanded action against Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Kharel, chief of the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, claiming the arrest was made without any plausible reason.

“The arrest is baseless and Kharel should be booked for his act,” said NSU President Ranjeet Karna claiming that the weapons were licensed and valid till 2014.

source: the kathmandu post,10 march 2014