Sarlahi, March 10:

Seven people were injured when they were trying to fight off a gang of about 25 armed dacoits at Kisanpur Village Development Committee (VDC) of Sarlahi district last night.

The gang looted property worth thousands of rupees from 40 different houses at Laguwatole of the VDC.

According to Mahesh Kumar Roy, a local, Arun Kumar Roy (30), Ramji Mahato (45) and Kamal Roy (25) were injured when the dacoits opened fire on the locals. The dacoits beat up Mane Singh (30), Suresh Roy (45), Kisan Roy (41) and Sunil Kumar Roy (30).

Arun, Ramji and Kamal are undergoing treatment at the Malangwa-based Tribhuvan Hospital. According to Roy, the gang looted solar panels (each worth Re 60,000) from the houses of Suresh Roy, Birendra Roy and Dharma Dev Roy.

The gang made off with property worth over three lakh rupees from different houses, said Kamal Roy, another local. Ram Kumar Basnet, DSP at the District Police Office, said the details of the incident were awaited.