Butwal is witnessing a spate of house burglaries during the Dashain festival as families who traveled to their hometowns for celebrations returned to find their homes ransacked. Locals say the incidents have left the community living in fear.
According to residents, burglars have broken into multiple houses, stealing gold ornaments, cash, laptops, and other valuables.
One of the major incidents occurred at the home of Rita Poudel of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-12, Dhawaha. While she was away in Sandhikharka, Arghakhanchi, to celebrate Dashain, burglars broke into her bedroom and stole nine tolas of gold, according to Yogendra Chhantyal, chairperson of Satgadhi Tole Development Committee. Poudel’s husband is currently in Portugal for employment.
Similarly, the house of 52-year-old Dilli Pokhrel from Moti Ganj, Butwal-14, was broken into, with thieves taking away 2.5 tolas of gold jewelry and Rs 235,000 in cash. “We had gone to our ancestral home in Arghakhanchi for tika,” Pokhrel said. “Soon after, I received a call that our house had been looted.”
Pokhrel’s tenant, Santu Bhusal from Parbat district, also reported losing Rs 40,000 in cash, while neighbor Gyanu Gautam said her house was broken into and Rs 40,000 stolen. Another Dhawaha resident, Manu Pandey, reported a theft of Rs 15,000 cash after burglars broke open the locks on her two-story house.
The home of traffic police inspector Pankaj Chundali, who was on duty in Gorusinge while his family celebrated Dashain in Arghakhanchi, was also targeted.
“These daily incidents of theft have spread fear in the community,” said Tan Bahadur KC, Rupandehi chair of the Rastriya Janamorcha party and a resident of Butwal-19. “Police must step up night patrols and monitor youths loitering in public spaces at night.”
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Indra Bahadur Rana of Area Police Office Butwal said officers have inspected the crime scenes and are working to identify the perpetrators.
According to police, the thefts have been reported in several areas, including Naharapur, Pattharganj, Motiganj, Dhawaha, Nayagaun, and Devinagar.
