Himalayan News Service

Lalitpur, February 8:

The Lalitpur Sub-branch of Valley Crime Investigation Branch (VCIB) arrested a group of five persons yesterday for trying to extort money from Ram Gopal Maharjan, a resident and former vice-chairman of Harisiddi village development committee (VDC) -7.

According to inspector Lokendra Shrestha, police managed to nab Ajay Lama, 18, of Katunje-7, Kavre, Shyangba Lama, 17, of Khanalchowk-1, Kavre, Tanka Bahadur Lama alias Sunil of Sipali-2, Kavre, Narayan Lama, 19, and Kanchha Lama of Shikharkot-1, Kavre. One Amar Thakuri is absconding.

Police said the group armed with fake pistols and bombs had broken into Maharjan’s house on February 22 pretending to be Maoists and demanded Rs 100,000 to “build their party’s communication tower at Ramechhap”. When Maharjan said he would not be able to give such a huge amount but something less, they started bargaining and Maharjan cried for help, at which they fled, said police.

But later they phoned Maharjan to threaten him. “We started investigation after locating the number from which the looters had dialled,” Shrestha said. “We arrested them yesterday from a house with fake pistols and bombs.” Lalitpur District Police Office got permission today to keep them in custody for a week from Lalitpur District Court to complete investigation.