JHAPA: A group of six unidentified people set a gutkha factory on fire at Duwagadhi VDC-9 in Jhapa on Monday afternoon.

District Police Office Jhapa said tsix unidentified persons wielding arms had set the factory ablaze.

They had taken factory guard Chandra Kafle under control, poured petrol on 25 machines and raw materials and set them on fire.

Police doused the fire with support from a firefighter and locals.

The fire damaged property worth Rs 10 million. “A manhunt tfor the culprits is under way,” police said.