Dolpa, Jan. 4 -- Tensions between local residents and police escalated in ward 5 of Tripurasundari Municipality after 34-year-old Jun Rokaya of Lha village went missing.

The incident occurred on Friday evening near Chepke Bridge, close to the Karopgard Area Police Office. Police said they attempted to check Rokaya on suspicion of drug trafficking. Before the inspection could proceed, Rokaya panicked and jumped into the Thuli Bheri river, after which he went missing.

Locals alleged that the police had chased Rokaya, claiming their actions endangered his life.

Ward chair Nar Jhankri described the incident as extremely tragic, saying the village had lost a young man and a proper investigation was necessary.

Families of the missing youth ...