Armed gang kills one in Beldangi camp

Beldangi, September 18: An unidentified gang of at least 20-25 armed people slaughtered Lok Nath Katel (47) of Beldangi-I camp, Sector D/1 -14/15 Monday night while he was trying to rescue neighbour from their attack.

According to the camp secretary D. P. Pradhan, the armed gang has come to make inquiries in the hut belonging to Narad Adhikari, general secretary of Druk National Congress (DNC) and also president of Bhutan Chapter of the Netherlands-based Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD). Adhikari's hut lies in Sector D/1 – 43/44. However, he is residing at a rented room in Kakarvitta. Family source of Adhikari said that Narad was not in the house when the gang came to their hut.  

Pradhan further informed the BNS that the gang had asked the aged parents of Adhikari to come out of house at around 12 in the night. The gang said they were from Damak, a local area nearby the camp. When Adhikari's parents shouted seeking help of neighbours, Katel arrived. According to Pradhan, the gang attacked Katel with sharp weapon as soon he arrived near the hut of Adhikari. Katel was killed on the spot.

The gang had fled from the scene after attacking Katel. The reason behind gang's intention to come to the hut of Adhikari at night is not yet known.

Pradhan informed that the dead body of Katel has been taken to Malgalbare, Urlabari Morang district Tuesday morning for postmortem.

The security has been beefed up in Beldangi-I camp following the attack on Katel. Police hasn’t yet caught those involved in the killings. Bhutan News Service.