26 Arrested in Connection with Looting Incidents at Rastriya Banijya Bank and Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Areas
10th September 2025, Kathmandu
During the ongoing political and social unrest in Nepal, security forces have made a significant move to curb rising lawlessness.
26 Arrested in Connection with Looting Incidents
The Nepal Army has arrested 26 individuals on charges of looting and vandalism in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. The arrests were made in connection with incidents at major commercial locations, including the attempted looting of a Rastriya Banijya Bank branch and thefts at a large supermarket and a hotel. This swift action by the military underscores a shift in the government’s approach to the crisis, focusing on the preservation of law and order and the protection of private property, which have been severely threatened by criminal elements exploiting the protests and curfews.
Exploitation Amidst Chaos
The arrests highlight a critical and often overlooked aspect of large-scale civil unrest: the emergence of opportunistic criminal activity. According to a press note from the Nepal Army’s Directorate of Public Relations and Information, the suspects were caught taking advantage of the chaotic environment created by the Gen-Z protest movement and the subsequent curfews. The arrested individuals were not necessarily part of the original, youth-led movement but rather groups that saw an opportunity for crime when security forces were stretched thin.
The most concerning incident involved five individuals who were specifically apprehended for breaking into the Rastriya Banijya Bank branch in Naya Baneshwor. This is particularly alarming as it represents an attack on a vital financial institution. As a state-owned commercial bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank plays a crucial role in safeguarding public deposits and maintaining economic stability. Any breach of a bank, regardless of the extent of the theft, can severely undermine public confidence in the entire banking system. The fact that the Nepal Army’s timely intervention helped prevent large-scale losses is a positive sign, but the incident itself has raised significant concerns within the financial community. The remaining 21 individuals were arrested for theft and vandalism at other commercial establishments, including Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Bhaktapur and Hotel Hyatt in Kathmandu. These arrests were a result of intensified military patrols and security sweeps in vulnerable areas.
The Role of the Nepal Army
The involvement of the Nepal Army in the arrests and the broader security situation marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to the crisis. While police forces typically handle such situations, the military’s deployment and subsequent actions suggest that the government has deemed the situation to be beyond the scope of normal police operations. The Nepal Army’s statement assured the public that its forces would continue to safeguard vital institutions, commercial establishments, and public property while assisting civil administration in enforcing curfews. This is a clear signal that the government is prioritizing the restoration of law and order, which it sees as a prerequisite for any return to normalcy.
The arrests have been met with a mixed reaction from the public. While some have praised the swift action of the Nepal Army, others have questioned why better preventative measures were not in place to secure financial and commercial assets during the curfew hours. The news of looting at a major commercial bank has further rattled investors and the business community, who are already grappling with the economic fallout from the protests. The ongoing closure of the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) and the suspension of services by financial institutions and stock brokers have created an environment of widespread uncertainty. The looting incidents only serve to exacerbate this fear, as they add a layer of physical risk to the existing economic and political instability.
Restoring Confidence and Stability
The FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry), among other business and civil society leaders, has called on the government to take immediate and decisive action. Their demands include not only strict law enforcement to deter criminal opportunism but also addressing the underlying political grievances that are fueling the unrest. The FNCCI has rightly pointed out that political instability, coupled with economic fragility, is a recipe for chaos and that the current crisis is a direct threat to the country’s investment climate.
Ultimately, the arrests are a small but important step toward restoring order. They demonstrate that the state apparatus is still functioning and is capable of responding to lawlessness. However, the long-term solution to the crisis lies not just in security sweeps and arrests but in a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the protests. The public and business community will be looking for a clear roadmap from the government that includes not only a plan to restore order but also a commitment to dialogue, governance reforms, and a strategy for economic recovery. The fate of the arrested individuals lies in the judicial process, but the fate of Nepal’s financial and social fabric depends on how quickly and effectively the government can move to restore both security and public trust.
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