Police baton-charged a group of youths protesting outside the EPS Korea branch office in Gwarko, Lalitpur, on Sunday, amid rising frustration over delays in deployment to South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS).

The protesters, who had passed the EPS Korean language proficiency test 18 months ago, said they had been left in limbo despite fulfilling all necessary requirements.

“We are qualified, but the authorities have done nothing to ensure our deployment,” one protester said.

Two individuals were arrested during the protest, according to police.

Photojournalists Angad Dhakal of Kantipur Media Group and Aryan Dhimal of Onlinekhabar were obstructed while attempting to document the police action.