Gangs armed with pistols, grenades, khukuris and knives have been robbing yarsagumba pickers in Patan where a large number of people were picking the herb.
A week ago, a gang thrashed six people of Maikot VDC.
Police have arrested Lachin Pun, 22, of Maikot-3, Rukum, for robbing yarsagumba pickers by brandishing a pistol and grenades. Others from Pun´s gang including Dhani Shani Gharti, 21, of Hukam-1 are absconding. From Pun, police recovered two pistols, two bullets, two socket bombs, and a robbed mobile phone.
The yarsagumba pickers feel insecure as the place is out of reach of administration and criminals are organized there.
Each piece of yarsagumba fetches Rs 200 to Rs 250 in Patan.
Three Yarshagumba pickers die in Dolpa