Baglung, February 18:

The police last night arrested five persons, including a Nepal Army soldier, on the charge of vandalising a gold ornament shop and a hotel at Baglung bazaar. The district police office said Lalit KC, a soldier deployed at Palpa barrack, Narayan Gautam of Sigana-3, Dinesh Khadka of Sigana-5, Arjun Thapa and Shanker Khadka also of Sigana were arrested. The detained soldier KC was later handed over to Baglung based NA no 23 brigade.

The gang of five persons vandalised Rajbhandari Jewelry shop at Shivadhara in Baglung and looted it. They also manhandled its owner Yuba Raj Rajbhandari. The same gang later vandalized Poudel Hotel at Sirjana Chowk in Baglung bazaar. The gang took hotel owner Devendra Sharma and his wife under control and beat them up. Rajbhandari and Sharma, who were hurt in the incident, were admitted to Baglung hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, jewellry entrepreneurs association closed all their shops today in protest against manhandling and vandalism. It also condemned the incident and demanded legal action against the culprit.