Manang villagers kill seven Yarcha-pickers from Gorkha

Villagers of Nar VDC in Manang have killed seven youths from Kerauja VDC of Gorkha, who had gone to Nar area to pick Yarchagumba, a Himalayan herb believed to enhance potency.

Five youths were beaten to death, while two others died after falling into Nar river, according to the preliminary report obtained by the police from villagers detained in Nar VDC.

Earlier, villagers of Kerauja VDC had had filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Manang claiming Nar villagers had killed their kins. They filed the case after the Yarcha-pickers went missing for three weeks.

Although the incident occurred around June 10, it was revealed late due to the remoteness of the area. Nar VDC is two-days walk from district headquarter of Manang Chame and three-days walk from Kerauja.

Kerauja villagers filed the complaint after the youths, who had taken provisions only for seven days, did not return even after three weeks.

Those killed are Bire Gurung, Kami Gurung, Gyan Bahadur Gurung, Subdar Gurung, Sogar Gurung, Aitaram Gurung and Dhruva Gurung.

Two teams of police were deployed to Nar VDC after the complaint was filed. They have detained six people from Nar VDC.

Nar villagers had assaulted the Yarcha-pickers from Gorkha accusing them of encroaching in their area. nepalnews.com Jul 03 09