Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) -- a U.S. international fast food chain which has outlets in Nepal, has been facing the fury of Nepali poultry farmers for importing raw chicken and ignoring domestic productions.

On Dec. 15 Saturday, a group of irate poultry farmers in Dharke, Dhading took control of two containers that were carrying 5,104 kg of frozen chicken from India. They dug a pit and buried the whole stock.

They even had scuffles with police when the latter attempted to prevent them from doing so. The police had to then resort to baton- charge to take control of the situation.

"Nepal is self-sufficient on chicken productions," said Shiva Sharma, chairperson, Nepal Hatchery Industry Association. "Its import has been seriously affecting us. It must be stopped."

"The import was illegal, as Nepal has officially banned the imports of poultry from India since 2008," said Dr. Shital Kaji Shrestha, General Secretary, Nepal Veterinary Association.

KFC initially imported chicken from Brazil when it opened its Nepal outlet in 2009. Later, the imports were diverted to Thailand and finally to India. KFC says poultry produced in Nepal is sub- standard and do not meet its criteria.

Nepal is among the top South Asian countries, where meat consumption is high. Poultry industry is a booming industry in Nepal and has been contributing 2 percent to 2.5 percent to the country's GDP.

Adjoining district of Kathmandu, such as Chitwan, Nuwakot, Kavre and Dhading have emerged as significant poultry producing districts. Even within Kathmandu valley, outskirt villages have emerged as the regular poultry suppliers to meet the capital's demand.