Tikapur remained tense on Saturday, following the murder of a youth while celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, on Thursday night.

Locals shut down Tikapur on Saturday, demanding a thorough investigation into the murder of 22-year-old Karna Thapa, a local man. He was attacked by a sharp weapon at Khel Maidan, while observing Holi celebrations on Thursday night. The relatives of the deceased are organising a sit-in outside the Area Police Office, demanding action against the guilty.

Police said 14 people, who are suspected to have been involved in the incident, have been arrested for inquiry. There were around 10,000 people in Khel Maidan to observe the Holi celebrations. Locals said they are feeling insecure after the youth was killed in Tikapur.

“In the past, we were terrorised by Tikapur incident. Now, we are not able to feel secure again after this incident,” said local Min Bahadur Rawal, adding that people have started returning their homes before dusk.

Badghar Jit Bahadur Chaudhary of Tikapur Municipality-1 said people are scared to walk alone after the incident. Businessmen said they were planning to shift their businesses away from Tikapur due to security fears. Chairman of Tikapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Parshuram Chapain said they are feeling insecure in Tikapur. “How could we sustain here?” he asked.