Kailali youth arrested for stabbing policeman during Gen-Z agitation

Kathmandu: A 19-year-old youth, Anupam Bhandari, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Assistant Constable Amrit Gurung at the Koteshwor Police Division in Kathmandu during the Genji agitation on Bhadra 24. Police have filed a case against Bhandari, who hails from Lamkichuha Municipality-4 in Kailali and resides in Kathmandu, on charges of manslaughter and attempted murder.

Bhandari had returned from a two-week cricket training program in Bangalore, India, about three months ago. He was enrolled at the Megha Cricket Academy in Kathmandu and was undergoing training. Investigations have confirmed that Bhandari was involved in pelting stones, throwing iron rods, and stabbing policemen during the violent protest in Koteshwor.

According to footage released by the police, protesters captured Assistant Constable Gurung, dragged him on the road, threw him from the roof, locked him in a bathroom, and left him unconscious and covered in blood. Bhandari has confessed to his involvement in the stabbing.

Out of the 59 police personnel deployed at the Koteshwor division, 13 were injured. After the office was set on fire, several policemen were forced to remove their uniforms and disguise themselves to escape. The protesters vandalized, looted, and burned the police office.

On the day of the incident, Gurung was taken to B&B Hospital in Gwarko by locals but succumbed to his injuries at around 4:45 pm. He is survived by his seven-month-old son, wife, and 60-year-old father.

A total of 76 people, including three policemen, lost their lives during the Genji agitation. During the investigation, police recovered the clothes Bhandari was wearing at the time of the incident from his residence.