Jewelry raid sparks clash in Janakpur; 10 police injured

KATHMANDU: Tension flared in Janakpurdham’s Sonarpatty area on Thursday evening after a police raid at a newly opened jewelry shop led to a violent clash between police and local businessmen.

Police fired several rounds in the air and used tear gas to bring the situation under control.

According to the Dhanusha District Police Office, Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Surendra Bhandari sustained serious injuries in the incident, while ten police personnel were also injured.

What Happened?

Acting DPO Chief DSP Ganesh Bahadur Bam said police received a special tip-off that illegal silver trading was taking place at Sanjay Thakur Jewellers, located south of Janaki Temple. Acting on the information, a plainclothes police team raided the shop around 8 p.m., seizing about 7 kilograms of undocumented silver.

DSP Bam said police had called representatives from the local gold and silver traders’ association to verify and document the seizure. However, when the traders, led by Chamber President Bhandari, arrived at the scene, they reportedly prevented police from taking the silver. Police allege that Bhandari incited others to “drive the police away,” triggering the confrontation. To control the situation, police fired seven rounds into the air and released two tear gas canisters, Bam said.

Business Community Outraged

Chamber General Secretary Phuldev Pandit accused police of creating panic on the eve of Dhanteras, a major festival for jewelry traders.

He said five plainclothes officers initially entered the shop pretending to buy anklets, followed by another 20–25 uniformed personnel who tried to confiscate the silver. When traders resisted, police allegedly resorted to baton charges, firing, and tear gas, Pandit claimed.

Pandit condemned the police action, demanding an investigation and warning of strong protests if those responsible are not punished.

Lack of Coordination

It was later revealed that the police raid had been conducted without coordination with Dhanusha’s Chief District Officer (CDO) Shankar Hari Acharya.

The CDO said he was not formally informed about the operation and had only heard that the raid was linked to the Department of Revenue Investigation. He added that coordination with his office could have allowed for the involvement of armed police, ensuring better control.

DSP Bam, however, insisted that the raid was carried out in coordination with the Revenue Investigation Department in Pathlaiya, following a report of tax evasion through silver trading.

The incident occurred just days after a change in the Dhanusha police leadership — with SP Narahari Regmi transferred and DSP Bam having taken charge only four days ago.