KATHMANDU: A gang of robbers has robbed Bhodhi Chitta (prayer beads) worth Rs 9 million in Roshi rural municipality in Kavre district.

According to locals, a gang of around 30 robbers led by Sagar Mainali brandishing weapons came to the field of Bir Bahadur Tamang based in Roshi rural municipality-5 on Thursday night and decamped with the prayer beads.

The looters broke into the house of Bir Bahadur, owner of the Bodhi Chitta tree, and took the CCTV under control before thrashing guards of the Bodhi Chitta tree.

The robbers also looted 16 mobile sets of the nightwatchmen assigned to guard the holy tree.

Shyam Tamang of Temal rural municipality-6, Jit Bahadur Tamang of Roshi rural municipality-6 and Wangduk Lama of Roshi rural municipality-5 among others were injured in the scuffle with the robbers in the course of protecting the prayer tree. They are undergoing treatment at Dhulikhel Hospital.

Police have recovered a used bullet and a manhunt is underway to nab the looters, said SP Rabi Kumar Paudyal, chief of District Police Office, Kavre.