KATHMANDU: Pokhara has increased security as the Kaski District Court's hearings on the savings scam concerning the Surydarshan Savings Cooperative draw to a close. The matter has garnered a lot of political and popular interest.  

As the week-long hearings draw to a close, the local government has been stepping up security in the city's most vulnerable neighborhoods since Wednesday.  

Because of the sensitivity of the situation, Chief District Officer Bharat Mani Pandey said the increased security is a precaution. Contrary to several media reports, he confirmed that there isn't a curfew in place and underlined that any such decision would be made public in advance.  

Police have increased their presence and restricted vehicle traffic at strategic Pokhara locations, including the District Administration Office and neighborhoods like Rastra Bank Chowk, Barahi Chowk, and Shahid Chowk, in order to safeguard public safety.  

The case involves Rabi Lamichhane, the chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who has been in police custody since October 18 on allegations of taking part in cooperative fraud. The administration has tightened security as the case progresses to prevent any potential hiccups.  

Since Tuesday, security around government buildings and the court has been especially tightened as the case's closing arguments draw near and tensions between the many parties involved increase.  

The political ramifications of the case were demonstrated on Tuesday when RSP supporters gathered outside the court following Lamichhane's detention hearing, screaming anti-prime KP Sharma Oli and anti-Nepali Congress general secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa.  

Authorities anticipate a mass rally of RSP sympathizers as the verdict draws nearer. This, together with the expected protests by victims of the cooperative fraud, has necessitated increased security.  

The administration is continuously on high alert as the complex case draws to a close in order to manage any disruptions or large gatherings in a way that ensures local safety and order.