Locals in the Pulchowk area of Kathmandu gathered to celebrate the annual Rato Machindranath chariot festival despite government orders against crowds due to COVID-19.

Footage shows residents pulling the traditional chariot when police descend on the scene, followed by a water cannon truck.

The filmer, @feedthehungrynp on Twitter, told Newsflare: "The local Newar community have an annual festival namely Rato Machhindranath Jatra where the rath (chariot) is pulled manually with the help of 80-100 people.

"The festival was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 but the locals had their logical and cultural reasons to move the chariot."

They also said: "The police force in order to control the situation used water cannons and tear gas.

"The locals and the police force thus got into a fight."

The local newar community have a annual festival namely Rato Machhindranath Jatra where the rath(chariot) is pulled manually with the help of 80-100 people. The festival was cancelled this year due to covid 19 but the locals had their logical and cultural reasons to move the chariot. The police force in order to control the situation used water cannons and tear gas. The locals and the police force thus got into a fight. Please tag @feedthehungrynp on twitter while you credit this info.