Kathmandu, January 7

One person was injured when police opened fire on a gang of around 12 ruffians, who clashed with the police to help three burglars avoid arrest in Gongabu yesterday night.

Police had arrested Dil Bahadur Pun (20) of Myagdi, Umesh Tamang (23) of Nuwakot and Santosh Balayalkoti (22) of Gorkha for investigation into their involvement in burgling jewellery stores and houses across the country.

They were being taken to the MPCD office at Teku.

The person who sustained a bullet injury in the pelvic area has been identified as Amrit Bayalkoti (22) of Dhawa-6, Gorkha, currently living in Gongabu.

He is said to be out of danger and was discharged from the TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, later today following treatment.

SSP Sarbendra Khanal, in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Crime Division, said police had to open fire in self-defence.

Sub-inspector Gopal Thapa Magar of the MPCD was injured after hooligans pelted stones at the cops.

According to the MPCD, it had launched a manhunt to track down the gang of thieves led by Pun after around 2 kg gold was stolen from New Road-based Laxmi Jewellery Store owned by Bishnu Rijal on December 27.

Police have also confiscated around 1 kg gold, a portion of which they stole from the jewellery store, from them, and arrested two other suspects, who attacked on-duty cops.

Of the arrested, Pun and Tamang are repeat offenders. Pun was released a few months ago after serving three years in jail in a burglary case in Myagdi, while Tamang, who had been sent to jail on public offense charge, was released on Rs 51,000 bail last year.

The gang of thieves used to target jewellery stores and unattended houses in the Kathmandu Valley and other districts in the day and night time either by breaking the door or using duplicate key to sneak inside and make off with cash and valuables.