Police in Siraha on Sunday arrested 25 youths and seized 21 motorcycles for their alleged involvement in gang-related activities that authorities said threatened public peace and security.

The arrests were made during a special operation along the Siraha-Choharwa road section.

According to police, the youths had formed groups with names such as “King of Balan”, “King of Bhagwanpur”, “King of Lahan” and “Killers Brother”. They allegedly operated pages and groups on social media platforms, including TikTok and Facebook, where they posted abusive, intimidating and threatening videos.

“The youths regularly filmed videos while riding motorcycles without helmets or registration plates. Their activities posed a threat to public order, prompting us to place them under close surveillance due to suspected criminal intent,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Bahadur Pal, spokesperson for the Siraha District Police.

Police said the youths were intercepted while travelling towards the district headquarters in groups, with three to four people riding on a single motorcycle in violation of traffic regulations.

Of those arrested, 12 are from Balan Bihul Rural Municipality in Saptari district, six from Bishnupur Rural Municipality, five from Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality and two from Lahan Municipality in Siraha.

Police have also confiscated the suspects’ mobile phones for further investigation.

Preliminary investigations suggest that many of the detained youths are drug users who frequently challenged local security agencies and law enforcement personnel, Pal said.

Police said a search is underway to apprehend the alleged ringleaders of the groups.