KATHMANDU; In an interesting revelation today, police in the Valley said that looters were targeting northern area of the capital most often.

Police said that burglars were targeting areas around guest houses, restaurants and bus stops. This was in contrary to their targeting quiet places earlier, said the Metropolitan Police Range (MPR).

"Recently our study showed that burglars are targeting Gongabu and Gaushala areas the most. Some seven to eight robbery cases daily has become a common phenomenon in the areas. Pickpocketing is more than normal. MPR, however, claimed that the robbers belonged to a same group and rob people with full plans.

In the last two days, seven complaints from Gongabu were lodged with the police while the number of complaints from Gaushala was nine, MPR said.

MPR confirmed that number of security personnel in the areas has been increased. Informers and personnel in civil dress have been deployed around places, where people gather. As thousands of people go to Pashupatinath daily, Gaushala bus stop area has become prone to robbery, claimed the police.

Unusual though it sounds, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said motorcycles were being stolen from the crowded places not from quiet places. In two days, nine bikes were stolen from Gongabu alone, according to the police.

However, the police have apprehended some suspects for investigation. Informers of police maintained that those involved in stealing motorcycles worked in groups in a planned way.

Police said that those arrested on charges of stealing are mostly youths, who claim that they are resorting to stealing due to unemployment problem.