Metropolitan Police Station, Gaushala detained 65 people in the last two days on Pashupatinath premises for their alleged involvement in various illegal activities such as snatching valuables, and buying and selling of marijuana.
However, the majority of people detained on Wednesday and Thursday were handed over to their guardians as they had not committed serious crimes, said police.
“The security arrangement this year was very comprehensive this year as over 4,500 police personnel were deployed at Pashupatinath,” said Deputy Superintendent Hobindra Bogati, spokesperson for Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range.
“They [the 65 people] were arrested for selling small amounts of marijuana, misbehaving, snatching valuables and also for pickpocketing,” said an inspector at the Metropolitan Police Station, Gaushala on the condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to talk to the media. “Most of them have already been released. Only around 20 are still in custody for further investigation.”
“Around one million devotees visited Pashupatinath this year along with over 5000 sadhus from Indian and Nepal. A total of Rs 7.2 million was allocated for the festival this year,” said Pradeep Dhakal, member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
Shuvam Dhungana was a crime and social affairs reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Before joining the Post, Dhungana worked for The Himalayan Times and Republica.
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