Police have detained 13 individuals from Basantapur for wearing t-shirts featuring the image of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah. The group had arrived at Basantapur to mark the Indra Jatra festival.

The detainees are being held at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Jansewa.

According to police, they were taken into custody for their own safety following protests from locals. “We made the arrests to avoid any potential altercations,” a police officer said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Navaraj Adhikari, spokesperson for Kathmandu police, stated that the group was detained after locals requested the police to ensure that only religious activities occurred during the festival. He added that the police acted to maintain order.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is also scheduled to visit Basantapur on Tuesday for the festival.

Tensions between the prime minister and Mayor Shah have been escalating in recent weeks.