BHARATPUR: Police have arrested two people for allegedly stealing gold earrings from the body of a flood victim swept downstream by the Narayani River following Wednesday’s devastating floods.
The arrests were made after a video showing two men allegedly removing gold earrings from a deceased person’s body went viral on social media, prompting Chitwan Police to launch an investigation.
Police said the body had been swept into the Narayani River by the massive flood triggered by a landslide in Tibet on Wednesday.
Based on the video, police identified and arrested two suspects near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-1 on Thursday, according to the District Police Office, Chitwan.
The arrested men have been identified as 25-year-old Madan Gurung of Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality-1, Nawalparasi, who is currently staying at his maternal uncle’s residence in Lilachok, Bharatpur-1, and 38-year-old Umesh Chaudhary of Chandabela Municipality-5, Sunsari, who is currently residing in Supari Tole near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur-2.
Both suspects have been taken to the District Police Office, Chitwan, for further investigation.
Chitwan Police Chief SP Rameshwar Paudel said looting or any form of inhumane activity targeting victims and deceased persons during a disaster would not be tolerated.
He said police personnel had been mobilised to investigate such incidents immediately and bring those involved within the ambit of the law.
The incident comes as authorities are working to manage and identify bodies recovered along the Narayani and Trishuli riverbanks following the Bhotekoshi floods.
Police have stepped up monitoring after incidents involving the removal of valuables from victims’ bodies raised concerns about further distress to bereaved families.
Chitwan Police has also urged the public to immediately inform authorities if they come across information or evidence of looting, theft or other inhumane activities during the disaster.
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