KAVRE: Four individuals have been taken into custody by police for allegedly cutting down a precious Bodhichitta tree in Roshi Rural Municipality-5 Nagbeli of Kavrepalanchok.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Shrestha stated that the arrested include locals Prabhat Tamang, Shyam Krishna Mainali, Man Bahadur Tamang, and Durgalal Tamang.
The group used explosives to cut down the Bodhichitta tree in Thakurani Tamang’s garden in Nagbeli last Thursday night.
The tree was cut while it was in bloom, with seeds from the tree selling for 3 crores rupees this year.
Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, a group of approximately 20 individuals armed with weapons cut down the tree, causing fear among residents.
Prabhat and Man Bahadur were detained on the day of the incident, with Prabhat arrested from Banasthali in Kathmandu on Saturday, and Mainali and Durgalal apprehended from Banepa in Kavrepalanchok on Sunday.
Prabhat and Man Bahadur are under extended investigation, while the other two suspects will also face further investigation.
Police discovered four socket bombs placed around Thakurani Tamang’s house and defused them with assistance from the Nepali Army based in Dhulikhel.
Authorities are searching for other individuals involved.
Bodhichitta mala holds deep religious and cultural importance within the Tamang community and Tibetan and Chinese societies.
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