Mugu: On Saturday, a marauding gang of looters plundered Dolphu village of Mugum Karmarong rural municipality-1 in Mugu district, taking advantage of the absence of villagers.
The villagers had left their homes to comb highland meadows for precious herb, yarshagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis).
The armed looters ransacked houses and made away with cash, jewellery, and other goods, according to the Chairman of Karmarong Rural Municipality, Chhiring Kyapne Lama.
“There were only elderly and children in the village, which the armed gang took advantage of. Of the 50 houses, the gang plundered assets from 23 houses,” he informed, adding that even a priest at a shrine was beaten by the gang. The gang did not spare even the dogs guarding the houses.
Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Topendra KC informed that a police team was deputed from the Pulu police post, a five-hour trek from the village, immediately after receiving the information.
Mugum Karmarong-1 Chairman Tunduk Lama had informed the police about the looting spree. “The assailants had come with guns, scimitars, and khukuri. Jewellery, ancient pots, medicinal herbs, and clothes were looted,” he added.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Birendra Thapa, informed that the incident site had no access to communications, so it was difficult to contact police persons mobilized there.
After the local level allowed to collect yarshagumba for this season, the locals left villages on May 23.
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