Aagya Khabar
Gaushala
A dispute over the livestock market contract in Gaushala Municipality–5 escalated into a violent clash on Monday, leaving four people injured, including a ward chairman and local residents. The incident is the latest development in a long-standing disagreement over the management of the livestock market.
According to the Gaushala Area Police Office, those injured in the clash include Ward No. 2 Chairman Shyam Kumar Mandal, and locals Bipin Sah, Vijay Yadav, and Surendra Mahato. They were immediately taken to a nearby health facility for treatment.
Locals report that the core of the dispute lies in conflicting claims over the right to operate the ox and goat market, with both Gaushala Municipality and Nigoul Cow Shelter asserting authority over the market lease. The clash reportedly erupted when both parties attempted to collect market revenue, leading to direct confrontation.
Police sources said the Nigoul Cow Shelter deployed its staff to begin collecting revenue at the market, which was obstructed by the municipality’s intervention, sparking a verbal altercation that soon turned into a physical brawl.
According to Bir Bahadur Chaudhary, head of the Nigoul Cow Shelter, an agreement had been reached back in 2013 (2070 B.S.) between the cow shelter and the municipality, under which 25% of the total revenue from the livestock market was to be allocated to the shelter. “However,” he alleged, “the municipality has failed to provide over NPR 50 million that remains due and is instead forcefully awarding market contracts without settlement.”
Based on this agreement, the Nigoul Cow Shelter—operating under the National Cooperative Development Board—claims it has the right to manage the market and began collecting revenue directly, which ultimately triggered the clash.
The disputed livestock market is operated on plots numbered 82, 83, and 84, spanning 2 bighas, 19 kaththas, and 11 dhurs in Gaushala Municipality–5, Mahottari. This site hosts a large livestock fair, particularly during the Dashain festival, where significant numbers of animals are bought and sold.
Locals have expressed concern that such disputes and the lack of clarity surrounding market management undermine revenue transparency, local consensus, and public trust in peaceful administration.
Police stated that further investigation into the incident is underway.
