Nepal Oil Corporation has been criticized for increasing prices of gasoline, diesel and cooking gas, but no violence had targeted it.
Home Minister Bijaya Gachchedar said a little-known group calling itself United Ethnic Liberation Front took responsibility for the bombing. He said an emergency meeting of the security forces have been called and security has been heightened.
The Babarmahal section in central Katmandu has a number of government offices and is generally guarded by both police and soldiers and crowded with government workers and visitors. It is also near the fortified Singhadurbar complex housing the prime minister’s office and key ministries.
Two people died at the scene and one succumbed to injuries at the hospital, police officer Devendra Subedi said.
The blast damaged motorcycles and the front gate for the corporation. Police have cordoned off the area to investigate.
Nepal Oil Corporation has the monopoly to import and distribute oil products in Nepal. Fuel shortages have been regular for the past few months. People have been forced to wait for hours for rationed gasoline and diesel for vehicles and or to buy cooking gas in the black market.
