As Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath approach, fears of theft and burglary have prompted locals across Rupandehi district to join forces for the security of their communities.

With fears of rising thefts and burglaries, local people in various parts of Rupandehi district have launched nightly patrols in their neighbourhoods. Residents say the increasing incidents of burglary pose threats not only to property but also to lives, making community vigilance essential.

A recent burglary at the Garden of Drinks, a restaurant in Maitripath in ward 5 of Siddharthanagar Municipality, intensified concerns. Restaurant owner Ramesh Kandel told the Post that CCTV footage showed a man, believed to be around 40, breaking the main gate lock at 12:20 am, smashing the counter, and stealing nearly Rs100,000 in cash.

“Our staff discovered the break-in at around 9 am the next day,” Kandel said. “The gate lock was found broken and hanging loose when we arrived.”

A few days ago, an unidentified group pasted threatening posters on two houses in ward 3 of the municipality, warning locals that they would rob the neighbourhood within a week and even kill people if they found nothing valuable. The message left residents terrified.

“The entire community was shaken due to the threatening posters,” said Manoj Kumar Prajapati, a resident of ward 3 of the municipality. “We immediately informed the authorities and, from that very night, began organising patrols in groups of five to eight people. Many men are working abroad, so it’s up to us to protect the women, children, and elderly.”

Prajapati said volunteers guard street corners and alleys throughout the night, especially during power cuts when suspicious individuals have been spotted but often escape before they can be caught. “It confirmed our fears that thieves are indeed lurking,” he added.

Similar initiatives have spread across the district. In Betahani settlement in ward 3 of Shuddhodhan Rural Municipality, residents armed with sticks keep watch from 10 pm to 3 am. “We formed groups of about a dozen people to patrol our area,” said Sagar Prasad Khanal, a local volunteer. “Our goal is to prevent theft during the festive season. If we stay vigilant, our village stays safe. We plan to continue this even after Tihar.”

Khanal added that these patrols have also inspired neighbouring villages to adopt similar measures. “If we sense anything suspicious, we call out to each other. It has strengthened our sense of unity.”

In ward 5 of Tilottama, locals have created a Facebook page called Tilottama-5 Security Force to coordinate patrol groups. Ward member Hira Giri has been leading the effort, bringing together residents from eight neighbourhoods for planning and nightly surveillance.

Fears have intensified since the Gen Z protests earlier this month when more than 100 inmates, including some from Rupandehi, escaped from prisons. Such breakouts were reported nationwide on September 8 and 9. Locals worry that some of the fugitives may be involved in criminal activities.

Similarly, residents of ward 1 of Devdaha Municipality have also launched nighttime patrols, requiring anyone moving around after 10 pm to show identification. “This is to ensure no strangers slip in unnoticed,” said Shyam Thapa, a local.

Police have welcomed the initiative. “Cooperation between citizens and security agencies is a positive step,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Suraj Karki. “So far, major theft incidents have not occurred, and we want to keep it that way. Public awareness motivates us to stay vigilant.”

Karki urged residents to contact the police immediately if they encounter trouble. “We are working closely with locals to ensure safety during the festive season,” he added.