Itahari Gen Z protest: 13 arrested, 12 security personnel wounded (with names)

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested 13 individuals following violent demonstrations by the Gen Z generation in Itahari on Monday.

Most of those detained are students and local youths.

According to the District Police Office, Sunsari, the arrested include:

• Ankit Bhandari, 21, from Dhanpalthan, Dhankuta;

• Gopi Basnet, 24, from Dhankuta Municipality–8;

• Roshan Karki, 29, originally from Mahalaxmi Municipality–1, Dhankuta, currently residing in Itahari–5;

• Komal Mishra, 19, from Gothgaon, Sundarharaicha Municipality–7, Morang;

• Manas Rai, from Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City–18;

• Yuvika Mahat and Sanju Chala Yakkha, 16, from Sundarharaicha Municipality–10;

• Pravesh Rai, 19, originally from Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality–1, Bhojpur, currently residing in Itahari–4;

• Ash Kumar Rai, 26, renting a room in Itahari–4;

• Bhupal Rai, 21, from Homtang Rural Municipality–5, Bhojpur, residing in Itahari–2;

• Manoj Acharya, from Bhadrapur Municipality, Jhapa, currently in Itahari–9 (age undisclosed);

• Saroj Budhathoki, 17, from Mahalaxmi Municipality–2, Dhankuta, currently in Itahari–5;

• Sushan Khadka, 16, from Itahari–17.

Police reported that some of the detained are minors and were at the forefront of the protest.

They have been charged with public property destruction, stone-throwing, and assault on security personnel. Investigations are ongoing to identify and take action against others involved.

During the protests, both police and civilians were injured. SSP Suman Kumar Timalsina of Sunsari District Police Office stated that the crowd became uncontrollable, prompting police to face stone attacks.

In response, police deployed tear gas, fired warning shots, and used live ammunition.

Timalsina added, “It is yet to be confirmed which weapons were fired and in what quantity.”

Injured police personnel include:

• DSP Laxmi Bhandari;

• Assistant Inspector Mahendra Prasad Yadav;

• Inspectors Meghraj Aryal and Komal Thakur;

• Deputy Inspector Somanath Dhungana;

• Assistant Constable Purushottam Thandar;

• Constables Nitesh Kumar Mandal and Rabin Darji.

Armed Police personnel injured include Sanjay Thokar, Kusangsi Shashank, Sanjay Tharu, and Sushil Tharu.

Among the injured protesters are Santanu Dhakal, 19, from Budhiganga Rural Municipality–7, Morang; Anmol Panta, 16, from Itahari–4; Smriti BK, 16, from Itahari–10; Ashish Chaudhary, 16, and Adarsh Chaudhary, 18, from Ramdhuni Municipality–8; and Bikul Sah, 16, from Itahari–5.

All are receiving treatment in various hospitals.