Pokhara, Aug 9: Police in Pokhara have detained 20 people during an overnight sweep across key commercial and nightlife areas, as authorities step up efforts to prevent disorder, drug use and harassment in the country’s leading tourist city.
The operation, carried out on Friday night by the Kaski District Police Office and its subordinate units, covered Prithvi Chowk, Sabhagriha Chowk, Srijana Chowk and Lakeside. Police said those detained were suspected of causing public disturbances after drinking, using marijuana and other drugs, engaging in unruly behaviour and harassing members of the public and tourists.
The latest operation is part of a wider “sweep operation” launched in Kaski several months ago to target illegal activities, hooliganism and conduct that threatens public peace and security.
The focus on nightlife areas comes as Pokhara’s tourism economy increasingly depends on a busy evening scene, particularly around Lakeside. The area is packed with hotels, restaurants, bars, live music venues and other businesses catering to both domestic and foreign visitors. While the nightlife industry has become an important part of Pokhara’s tourism appeal, it has also brought recurring concerns over drunken fights, drug use, harassment and other forms of public disorder.
Police have been conducting checks in crowded areas, particularly at night, to prevent such incidents from affecting visitors and damaging Pokhara’s image as a major tourism destination.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Birendra Kumar Paswan said those found drinking alcohol or using marijuana related substances are generally counselled and handed over to their parents or guardians. Police do not automatically pursue criminal cases against everyone detained during the operation.
The approach is stricter, however, for people with a criminal background, repeat offenders and those who misbehave with police during checks. Such individuals can face formal charges and legal action through the courts, Paswan said.
Police said the sweep operation will continue as part of efforts to control criminal activity and maintain public safety, especially in busy urban and tourism areas. For a city that relies heavily on visitors, authorities appear keen to strike a balance between keeping Pokhara’s nightlife lively and ensuring that it does not turn into a source of insecurity for residents and tourists.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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