Five held in Pokhara resort arson & vandalism case

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested five individuals for their alleged involvement in the vandalism and arson carried out at Barpipal Resort in Pokhara.

The incident, which took place under the banner of the so-called “Gen Z Movement,” is currently under detailed investigation by the District Police Office, Kaski.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 29-year-old Rupak Nepali, 42-year-old Khadka Bahadur Thapa, 32-year-old Khumraj Gurung, 47-year-old Navaraj Khadka, and 27-year-old Elisa Gurung.

According to Kaski District Police Chief SP Naveen Karki, those arrested are not genuine campaigners of the Gen Z movement but were instead involved in criminal unrest. Preliminary investigations indicate that Rupak Nepali played a key role in provoking the crowd by falsely spreading rumors that the resort was owned by former Prime Minister and chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. He is also believed to have led the mob in carrying out the vandalism and arson. Police found that Nepali had been training youth groups at Pokhara Rangashala in recent weeks.

Authorities confirmed that the resort is actually owned by an individual named Jitu from Lamjung, contrary to the rumors circulated during the incident.

Among those arrested, Khadkabahadur Thapa is reported to run a hotel business in Pokhara-18 and has been active on social media under the name “KBT Travel.” Police further stated that some staff members working at the resort were also found to have participated in the destruction on the day of the incident.

The District Police Office has initiated further investigation to determine deeper involvement, network, and motive behind the orchestrated unrest.