23 people from Humla arrested for beating locals from Lampata, Bajura

Bajura: Police have arrested 23 people from Kharpunath Rural Municipality in Humla for allegedly beating locals from Himali Rural Municipality-3, Bajura.

On 16th Jestha, locals from Kharpunath Rural Municipality attacked and beat about 10 families living in Lamapata over a border dispute in the Ranisain-Chyanchaur Lamapata area.

Police have arrested the accused while the search for others who fled after the incident is ongoing. According to the District Police Office, Bajura, the process of bringing the arrested individuals to Bajura for further investigation is underway.

Since the first week of Jestha, the construction of a temporary police post in Lamapata at a cost of four lakh rupees had been initiated by the provincial government at the initiative of Himali Rural Municipality. The post is being established for border security and control of wildlife smuggling.

Some locals from Kharpunath Rural Municipality had reached Lamapata to protest the construction of the police post. They beat locals as well as construction workers and a mechanic working at the outpost and chased them away.

Mepagar Gurung, Laxmi Gurung, Nar Bahadur Gurung and Min Kunwar were seriously injured in the incident. The attackers also damaged the houses of locals before fleeing.

Naresh Bahadur Shahi, Information Officer of the District Police Office, Bajura, said that the arrests were made due to the active involvement of security forces. He said the search operation became more effective after a joint security base camp was established in Lamapata on the initiative of the District Administration Office and under the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 10.

Police stated that necessary investigation will be conducted after the arrested individuals are brought to the District Police Office, and action will be taken as per the law.