Nepalgunj, March 8:

A gang brutally killed five members of a family at Sadarline, the busiest bazaar of Nepalgunj, last night. The gang slit the throats of the the family members of Dipak Hemkar, a jewellery owner, in Nepalgunj-15, Tribhuvan chowk-based residence. Dipak was the owner of of Deep Jewellers.

According to Shiv Lamichhane, SP at the District Police Office, the victiims have been identified as Dipak Hemkar, 26, his grand mother Gulaf Devi, 85, father Jagadev Hemkar, 65, mother Sita Devi Hemkar, 50, and helper Harish Chandra Choudhary, 18, alias Goldie. Deepa, Dipak’s wife had gone to her maternal house in Lucknow, in India some days ago. His sister, Munni, is staying in Kathmandu. The gang also killed a pet bird of the house, a parrot.

Dipak also tried to retaliate. A pistol was recovered from the spot, belonging to Dipak. That pistol was licensed, police said.

As all the members were killed, the detail of looted property is yet to be ascertained, police said. Kuber Soni, vice-chairman of the Gold Entrepreneur Union, Nepalgunj, suspected the gang looted gold worth Rs 15 to 20 million.

The incident occurred during curfew hours. Neighbours said they noticed it only when the milk-seller reached there. As none opened the door or received a phone call , we informed the police, said neighbours. According to the nature of incident, the gang members were with Dipak at night because they were fled away from the backside of the house, using a saree as a rope, police said. “The investigation is underway. Details will be given after investigation,” the SP said.

After the incident, Nepalgunj bazaar remained tense. Following the murders, Nepalgunj-based Nepal Industrial and Business Union called a Nepalgunj bazaar bandh, today. Irate businessmen staged a rally demanding punishment. They also demanded to lift curfew. All e sectors, including educational institutes and hotels remained closed today. Different rights organisations condemned the incident.

Different local organizations have demanded a judicial probe in the murders on Tuesday night, here and have also asked that the meaningless curfew be lifted. Issuing separate statements here, Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Distributors’ Association condemned the murder and loot incident in New Deep Jewellers located at Sadarline,on Ttuesday night and demanded that the culprits be arrested immediately and legal action be initiated.

Vice president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sunil Kumar Sharma and general secretary Shyam Kumar Sharma, said curfew has no meaning. Acting president of the Nepal Distributors’ Association, Madan Krishna Shrestha said criminals feel boosted by a curfew.