Phidim, November 5:

A police team from Panchthar’s Pauwabhanjyang arrested five persons while they were extorting money from passengers and cargo vehicles at Pauwabhanjyang bazaar on the Ilam-Phidim section of the Mechi Highway today.

Deputy superintendent of police at the Panchthar district police office Mukti Shrestha said the

police team arrested Ganesh Chamling and Madan Rana of Phidim-1, Samir Rai of Biblyate, Dhanendra Khatiwada of Dhankuta and Kuber Moktan of Pauwasartap-1 while they were extorting money at gun point from the trucks and buses.

He said the five persons were held in cooperation of locals and transport workers.

A home-made pistol, three rounds of bullet, a piece of khukuri, few nitrogen tablets, two pieces of knives and Rs 4,935 cash were seized from them, he added. Police said the five will be charged with robbery.