HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: A team of birdwatchers, including an American, was looted in Godavari yesterday.
The team led by bird expert and tourism entrepreneur Vimal Thapa was looted at about 2pm in between an army camp at Phulchowki and a police beat in Godavari by six masked men while they were returning after a five-hour bird watching trek. “The road was clear when we climbed up, but we saw some wooden logs placed across the road when we were returning,” said Thapa along with whom were Anil Prajapati, a bird expert working for Bird Conservation Nepal, Thais Thomas, an American birdwatcher, and a driver.
According to Prajapati, the muggers made off with $400, Rs 27,000, four mobile phones and a binocular. “They also frisked us for jewellery and other valuables,” said Prajapati.
Police said investigation was under way. “We have arrested four people on suspicion of their involvement in looting. We are extracting information from them,” said Spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office, SSP Rabi Raj Shrestha.
Now it's mugging birdwatchers?? What next?The Himalayan Times
