Nepal Police arrests 10 involved in arson, loot during transport workers’ protest

Feb 16, 2023

KATHMANDU (Nepal) Feb 16 ANI: Nepal Police on February 16 rounded up 10 people for their alleged involvement in looting in Kathmandu. They were allegedly involved in looting when the protest by transport workers turned violent on February 13. Intensifying the investigation and search operation, the Police on Wednesday rounded up 10 people- 6 on charges of arson and 4 on charges of looting. “We have made the further arrest over the issue of arson and looting. Time would be extended for their custody to investigate further and would be made public later,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dan Bahadur Karki of District Police Range Kathmandu said.The police have intensified the search for those involved in looting during the protest in the Balaju area of the capital on Monday. During the protest of transport workers, the angry mob entered the Lotse Mall of the new bus park area and looted various electronics from shops as well as vandalised the properties.The Police have identified those involved in looting as Chiran Regmi of Dailekh and resident of Tarakeshwar, Naveen Khadgi of Samakhusi, Sujan Khatri of Rupandehi and resident of Ward No. 26 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and Pradeep Basnet of Jhapa and resident of Swayambhu.Similarly, six others have been arrested on the charge of setting fire and vandalising police vans at Balaju. The arrested have been identified as Bikram Rai of Udayapur, Ram Hari Bhandari of Nuwakot, Bibek Shrestha of Lamjung, Rajesh Tamang of Kavre, Dipendra Pun Magar of Pyuthan and Ashish Khadka of Kavre. They have been temporarily living in Kathmandu.