Fear grips Banke locals as night-time thefts surge

BY SIRAJ KHAN,Nepalgunj, Sep. 15: Residents throughout the rural areas of the Banke district, including Nepalgunj, are currently living in a state of fear due to a recent escalation in theft incidents. 

The increasing presence of criminal activities has compelled locals to remain vigilant throughout the night in order to safeguard their houses and communities.

Recent days have seen multiple reports of theft, and in several cases, residents have successfully apprehended suspects and handed them over to law enforcement authorities. Consequently, many wards and the adjacent rural areas of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City are now organising night patrols to prevent further criminal activity.

Samir Pratap Singh, the Ward Chairman of Ward No. 6, stated that the threat of theft had escalated to such an extent that residents had begun taking shifts to monitor their neighbourhoods during night-time. He further noted that the situation was compounded by the appearance of unidentified individuals who distributed threatening pamphlets in the vicinity, warning of continued thefts despite heightened community vigilance.

A few days prior, several suspected thieves were apprehended by local residents in Ward No. 6 and subsequently handed over to the police. Reports from Ward Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11 indicate that community members have been maintaining vigilance overnight out of fear of theft.

Nanda Kishor Kashyap, the Ward Chairman of Ward No. 11, expressed concern regarding the increasing worry among residents and urged law enforcement authorities to enhance security measures and promptly apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities.

Local resident Salauddin Sesh reported that, within Ward No. 21 alone, six households have been burgled over recent days. In response, groups of young individuals have formed community patrols to safeguard their localities. Adding to the prevailing fear, unknown persons have posted pamphlets in certain sections of Ward No. 4. These messages, which include threats such as, ‘How long will you stay awake? Whether you sleep or not, the theft will occur. Stop us if you can,’ have heightened public anxiety.

 Similar leaflets have reportedly been disseminated in other wards as well. Krishna Prasad Shrestha, Coordinator of the Civil Concern Society, Banke, stated that the explicit threats contained within these pamphlets have intensified public concern. He called upon authorities to identify and take legal action against those responsible for spreading such messages designed to incite fear.

Tanka Dhami, President of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also voiced worries, noting that many local business owners are frightened and have appealed to police for increased security assurances. Superintendent of Police Ram Prasad Ghartimagar, Chief of the District Police Office, Banke, acknowledged that, while theft incidents have indeed occurred, misinformation and rumors have contributed to a state of public panic. He assured that the police have identified areas susceptible to theft and have bolstered night-time patrols by deploying additional personnel to deter further unlawful activities.