18 arrested in Kaski on charges of arson, vandalism during Gen Z protest

POKHARA: Police in Kaski have arrested 18 people on charges of vandalism, arson and looting during last month’s Gen Z protests, which saw attacks on the District Police Office, Kaski, and several police stations under it.

According to police officials, 10 of those arrested are being investigated for criminal offenses related to public unrest.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, police officials said that several of the detainees have prior criminal records.

Kaski police Spokesperson DSP Haribahadur Basnet identified one of the accused as Rajesh Makranti (24), originally from Tripurasundari-4, Dhading, now residing in Pokhara. He was arrested for alleged involvement in vandalizing and setting fire to the District Police Office.

Makranti had previously faced a public misconduct charge in 2022.

Others arrested on similar charges include Narayan Sai (54), a butcher from Adhikari Marga in Pokhara-4, and Arun BK (22), a driver from Pokhara’s Phoolbari area.

Police have also named Rupesh Magar (41) of Kaseri in Pokhara-1, who was previously prosecuted for property damage two decades ago. He was allegedly involved in the September 9 attack on the District Police Office. Deepu Sai (43) of Mohariya Tol in Pokhara-1 was also arrested for allegedly participating in vandalism, arson and burning police weapons.

In Annapurna Rural Municipality, police arrested Langbahadur Nepali (47), Arbin BK (19), Grish Kshetri (22) and Tham Bahadur Sarki (62), in connection with the torching of the police station in Nayapul.

Another suspect, Purna Bahadur Nepali (42), also from Annapurna Rural Municipality, has a criminal record. Police said he was previously in custody at the Ward Police Office, Bagar, for a public misconduct case. He escaped detention during the September protests and later joined the attack on the Nayapul police office.

Separately, eight people accused of misusing police uniforms and engaging in disorderly conduct during the protests were released on bail. Those released include Amrit Ghale (24) of Prithvichowk, Chandra Bahadur Gurung (39) of Mauja, Sagar Pariyar (22), Dipesh Shahi Thakuri (24) of Rukum, currently residing in Pokhara-8, Suresh Gurung (24) of Gorkha, now living in Pokhara-16, and Rajesh Shahi (45) of Parsyang. All of them were released on bail of Rs 2,000 each. Two others, Sagar Adhikari (29) and Dipesh Shah (29), both from Dhading and residing in Parsyang, were freed on Rs 3,000 bail each.

Police say they have also been working hard to locate inmates and detainees who escaped during the Gen Z protests. Of the 773 prisoners held at Kaski Prison, 520 have been recaptured. Similarly, 91 out of 106 escapees of the Juvenile Reform Home have been caught.

Among those who fled from detention facilities, police said five of 63 detainees from the District Police Office, one of 12 from the Ward Police Office, Bagar and 26 of 33 from the Ward Police Office, Baidam have been rearrested.

Search operations for the remaining fugitives are ongoing, DSP Basnet said.