Kathmandu: Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Sah, commonly known as Balen Shah, has issued a serious threat, stating that he will set fire to Singha Durbar, the country's administrative center, if any government vehicle from the metropolis is stopped by authorities. His outburst followed a traffic police stoppage of his wife's vehicle, which had a government number plate.

In a late-night social media post on Saturday, Mayor Shah used inflammatory language and branded the current government, led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, as a 'thieves government'. This provocative statement has ignited controversy and garnered strong reactions on social media.

According to traffic police sources, the incident occurred around 9 PM on Saturday when a vehicle displaying a government number plate was observed speeding from Balkumari towards Koteshwar. Traffic police officers on duty intervened and questioned the driver about proper permits for driving a government vehicle on a holiday.

Mayor Shah's social media post has sparked a fierce debate online. While some express support for his stance, others argue that the traffic police were merely performing their duty by checking the validity of the government vehicle's operation, especially on a public holiday.

The incident highlights the need for responsible language and dialogue among public officials and the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.