A former principal of Ratna Primary School at Singhari in Rainus Municipality, Lamjung, who was injured after being attacked by his inebriated friend, died during the course of treatment in Kathmandu.

Hitman Shrestha, 55, was critically injured after his firend Bel Bahadur Gurung, 36, struck him with a wooden plank under the influence of alcohol. He was rushed to District Community Hospital in Lamjung which referred him to Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara. Manipal Hospital referred him to Fishtail Hospital as there was no Intensive Care Unit facility in Manipal. He was brought to Neuro Hospital in Kathmandu after another referral where he breathed his last on Monday.

Police said both Shrestha and Gurung were drunk on the day of the incident. They were close friends and were returning after watching a cultural programme when a quarrel broke out between them. Police said accused Gurung was also injured and is on the run following the incident.