Locals torched seven motorcycles following a dispute with a group of youths over “cattle smuggling” at Bhaishawa of Rajpur Rural Municipality in Dang district on Sunday night.

According to District Police Office, Bhaishawa locals physically assaulted a group of youths, who were taking four oxen yesterday night, accusing them of smuggling the animal. Later, another group of youths came in seven motorcycles to join the former.

Following the confrontation, locals beat up all the youths and chased them towards Rapti River and torched their motorcycles, District Police Chief SP Bel Bahadur Pandey said.

SP Pandey informed that the police have been searching for those involved in the arson. He further said that even if it was a case of cattle smuggling, the locals should have contacted the police rather than acting on their own. He added the police will take necessary action against those involved in the arson.