KATHMANDU: Police have apprehended Bishwanath Tharu Mahesh on allegations of setting fire to a bus owned by Small Heaven School in Kalyanpur, Bharatpur, Chitwan. Tharu, also identified as the Chairman of the School Management Committee of Shosi National Secondary School in Bharatpur-25, was arrested at the school premises on May 24. The school has expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest of the Management Committee Chairman within the school compound.
Authorities allege that Tharu's group intercepted the bus (registration number: Ba Pra 06-001 Ka 0045) of Small Heaven School in Kalyanpur, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-5, on the morning of May 12 and attacked it with a petrol bomb. The arson attack involved six individuals arriving at the scene on three motorcycles. While Tharu is in custody, the police are actively seeking the other suspects associated with the incident.
Furthermore, Tharu's group is implicated in intimidating staff members and setting fire to the office of the Suryodaya Womi Microfinance Institution in Bharatpur-26, Jyotinagar, on February 11, 2024. In light of these accusations, the District Court in Chitwan has granted a seven-day extension for further investigation into Tharu's involvement.
According to law enforcement, Tharu, previously affiliated with the Netra Bikram Chand-led Biplav faction of Maoists, has a history of engaging in criminal activities. Presently, he is purportedly operating independently within the district, perpetuating criminal acts.
