Kavre, May 17:

Locals last night took 14 persons under control from Khadpu of Panauti Municipality-2 on the charge of smuggling red sandalwood and handed them over to the police.

The locals, who were on a patrol for the security of their locality, also seized eight motorcycles and a car at around midnight.

They torched seven of the motorcycles and the car after they recovered a pistol, six rounds of bullets and two khukuris from the vehicles.

All of the 14 have admitted to smuggling red sandalwood. Those arrested are Ajay Shrestha, Balram Sapkota, Pancha Tamang, Buddhi Karki, Tokal Lama, Resham Lama, Prabhat Lama, Nima Lama, Sanjeev Lama, Tirtha Ram Manandhar and Sanu Lama of Kavre district, Shreesh Shahi of Kathmandu, Somraj Rana of Nuwakot district and Shyam Lama of Ramechhap district.

A police team reached the site soon after the locals took the gang under control. Locals also clashed with the police after the latter tried to stop them from torching vehicles. Five policemen were injured in the clash, the Area Police Office in Banepa said.