Arrests Linked to Gen Z Movement and Drug Trafficking
In a recent development, eight individuals, including a youth associated with the theft of police weapons during the Gen Z movement in Damak Municipality of Jhapa, have been arrested for involvement in drug trafficking. The arrests took place on Saturday evening from a hut located in Sector A of the Bhutanese refugee camp in Damak.
The operation was initiated after a tip-off about drug sales in the area. A team from the Jhapa District Police Office conducted a raid and successfully apprehended the group. During the operation, police recovered 7 grams and 800 milligrams of brown sugar.
Among those arrested is Aditya Limbu, who has been identified as a member of the Gen Z group that organized violent demonstrations across various locations in Damak. Authorities discovered a photograph on his phone showing him posing with a stolen military-grade weapon. However, Limbu has denied stealing the weapon, claiming he only posed with the gun taken by others. “He has denied stealing the weapon, but we are not certain if he is telling the truth. Further investigation is underway,” said a senior officer from the Jhapa Police.
This incident is part of a larger issue where around 800 police firearms—out of approximately 1,100 weapons reported missing—remain unaccounted for since the widespread vandalism of police stations during the September 9 protests. These incidents involved several military-grade guns, raising serious concerns about the security of law enforcement equipment.
Another arrestee, Nischal Portel of Miklajung-8, Morang, had previously escaped from Urlabari Police custody on Bhadra 24. The other detainees have been identified as Sajan Thapa, Dipesh Tamang, Sanam Rai, Pawin Bishwakarma, Suchan Darji, and Vijay Majhi, according to police reports.
This is not the first time individuals linked to the Gen Z protest have faced serious criminal charges. Earlier this month, Yambahadur Kandel, who gained attention on social media during the movement, was arrested in Dhading for allegedly murdering his mother. He reportedly beheaded her with a khukuri—a traditional weapon used for butchering animals—and held his father hostage, terrorizing the village for days.
The Gen Z protest, which began on September 8 and 9, initially drew widespread public sympathy as it was youth-led and non-partisan. The movement demanded the arrest of top political leaders on corruption charges. However, it later became infiltrated by individuals with criminal backgrounds and vested political interests.
Police are currently conducting further investigations into the suspects’ involvement in other illegal activities and their potential links to violent incidents during the protests. The ongoing probe aims to uncover any deeper connections and ensure justice for all affected parties.