Twelve farmers in Kalika Municipality, Chitwan, woke up on Tuesday morning to find that their banana groves had been chopped down overnight.

Around 3,100 banana trees were felled at the Jutpani-based plantation on Monday night, causing their owners a combined loss of nearly Rs 1.5 million.

Bishnu Hari Panta, chairman of Banana Producers’ ssociation, said it was clear that the trees were cut down by humans and they have demanded the authorities to investigate into the incident.

“We have lodged a police complaint demanding legal action against those who destroyed the farm,” said Panta. The association has also urged the government to compensate the affected farmers. Kopila Dahal suffered the largest loss. The raiders ravaged around 1,200 banana trees in her farm. “Hardly 200 trees are left standing. The ready-to-harvest trees have all been destroyed,” she said. Deputy Superintendent of Police Shiva Sharma said the police will get to the bottom of the unusual event and bring the perpetrators to justice. He added that a suspect has been detained for questioning.