Nepal, April 17 -- Businesses operators along the foot trail to the famed Pathibhara temple, situated atop a hill at an altitude of 3794 meters, are not worried of the frigid temperature in the unforgiving terrain. Nor are they distressed by the lack of water supply, especially during the harsh winter when water freezes. They have even grown accustomed to the disconnect to modern amenities at one of the remotest areas in the country.

What strikes terror into their hearts, ironically, is a national security agency: Armed Police Force (APF). The locals of the trail fearfully recount multiple instances of indiscriminate violence against them by APF personnel in the name of maintaining law and order, with one incident in particular pushing t...