Police Intensify Crackdown on Gangsters in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu police have intensified their crackdown on criminal gangs operating in the Valley, closely monitoring both old and emerging gangsters. The Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, has started reviewing and updating profiles of individuals involved in organized crime, aiming to curb criminal activities and restore public security.

Additional Inspector General (AIG) Tek Bahadur Tamang, chief of the Valley Police Office, stated that authorities are profiling known gangsters and will soon take action against those engaging in illegal activities. He also confirmed that the list of criminals involved in violent offenses, extortion, and financial fraud is being revised.

The intensified operation follows the recent arrest of seven individuals suspected of gang-related activities. The arrests were made after a TikTok video showing individuals cutting a cake with swords and khukuris went viral, causing public alarm. The individuals, identified as Gopal Moktan, Roman Magar, Suman Parajuli, Manohar Thapa Magar, Ronish Baramu, Roshan Tamang, and Gun Bahadur Gurung, were taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in illegal financial dealings and extortion.

AIG Tamang highlighted the growing insecurity caused by gang rivalries, particularly in money lending and underground dispute settlements. He further revealed that some gang leaders are directing criminal operations remotely from various parts of the country and even abroad. Authorities have launched an investigation into potential connections between these criminals and media personnel, lawyers, police officers, and political figures.

According to a 2014 police profile, 131 notorious gangsters were listed as being under round-the-clock surveillance due to their criminal records. Past police actions against major crime figures have included the police encounter in 2014 that resulted in the killing of notorious gangster Dinesh Adhikari, also known as ‘Chari,’ and the 2015 death of another crime figure, Kumar Ghainte. Despite these crackdowns, authorities believe that new gangsters are emerging to fill the void and expand their influence in the Valley. Several high-profile criminals, including Ramesh Bahun, Abhishek Giri, and former independent lawmaker Rajeev Gurung, also known as ‘Deepak Manage,’ are currently serving prison sentences on charges of drug smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

Recent police records indicate that nearly 189 gangsters are active across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Of these, 132 operate in Kathmandu alone, with 33 in Lalitpur and 24 in Bhaktapur. Authorities have categorized these criminals based on their level of influence and involvement in criminal activities. Certain areas in Kathmandu, such as Bouddha, Gaushala, Maharajgunj, Baneshwor, Thamel, New Road, Balaju, Kamalpokhari, and Durbar Marg, have been identified as hotspots for gangster activities. In Lalitpur, law enforcement has identified 33 active gangsters, with one falling under the most serious category, while in Bhaktapur, details about the classifications remain undisclosed.

Among the most notorious gangsters under police watch are Dawa Lama, Bishnu Lama, Umesh Lama, and Kaji Sherpa, who are known for operating in Bouddha, Gaushala, Maharajgunj, and Baneshwor. Other criminals, including Surya Lama, Khagendra Kumar Rai, Buddha Lama, Bikas Lama, and Bikas Rai, have been involved in local disputes and extortion. Additionally, Kathmandu’s police records list several individuals with a history of serious criminal offenses, including Mohan Lama, Dinesh Rai, Dilu Lama, and Sanjaya Lama, who is currently imprisoned on drug charges. Several other crime figures, such as Bhoje Lama, Lamta Mukhiya, Dinesh Lama, Rembo Manange, and Kale Kumar, are reportedly active in Thamel, New Road, Balaju, Kamalpokhari, and Durbar Marg.

In Lalitpur, the list includes criminals like Meen Krishna Maharjan, Sanu Kanchha Moktan, Wang Lama, Raju Bogati, and Bhola Khadka, while in Bhaktapur, the authorities have been monitoring individuals such as Saroj Thapa, Anil Thapa, Suren Lama, Bam Bahadur Shrestha, and Ujwal Awal.

Former AIG Prabindra Dhanuk emphasized that gangsterism remains a significant security threat, warning that authorities are prepared to use force if necessary to prevent further criminal activities. With security personnel on high alert, law enforcement has intensified its surveillance to dismantle organized crime networks and ensure stability in Kathmandu Valley.