BANEPA: Property damage worth nearly Rs 100 million has been recorded at Banepa Municipality following arson and vandalism during last month’s Gen-Z protests, according to a technical assessment carried out by the municipal office.
The municipality’s three-storey administrative headquarters, housing key branches including planning and technical units, was completely destroyed in the violence.
The evaluation report states that the first floor’s assembly hall, administrative officer’s chamber, women and children’s section, cooperative and community development, revenue, records, and multiple offices, along with essential documents and archives, were entirely lost.
The second floor, which included the mayor and deputy mayor’s offices, the judicial committee chamber, and law and education departments, was also gutted. The third floor, housing the internal audit section and accounting records, was similarly destroyed.
In addition, the planning and technical department building, along with a breastfeeding room and security guard section, was reduced to ashes. Dozens of vehicles, including a mini-truck, tractors, cars, and motorcycles, were burned, while 61 categories of office equipment such as computers, laptops, printers, cameras, and televisions were lost, totaling more than Rs 82 million. Another NPR 14.6 million worth of consumable goods was destroyed.
The municipality also reported the loss and theft of cultural artifacts, including bronze bells, a stone inscription, and an idol of Surya Narayan.
Banepa Mayor Shantiratna Shakya said the office has formally asked the Kavre District Police Office to identify and take action against those involved in the vandalism, arson, and looting. Services are currently being managed from Banepa Ward 10 office.
Across Kavre district, the Gen-Z protests caused damage to at least 18 public and private properties, including municipal buildings, police offices, and homes of elected representatives. Four people from Kavre lost their lives during the protests in Kathmandu.
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