RANJHA, March 21: Police have arrested four people in possession of the skin of a rare red panda. They were arrested from Anjana Hotel in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis-12, Banke on Sunday.

The arrested have identified as Harka Bahadur BK of Tripura Sundari Municipality-3, Bivek Bohara and Ram Krishna Shahi of Ward No. 11 and Sukram BK of Thuli Bheri Municipality-1, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhusudan Neupane. Police  recovered two red panda skins hidden in a plastic bag at the hotel.

According to DSP Neupane, the four arrested could be fined Rs 500,000 to Rs 1 million and imprisoned for five to 15 years or both as per Section 26 (1) of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 BS.

Meanwhile, police have arrested two persons along with three kilograms of marijuana. They were arrested from Dangali-Syangjali Hotel near Pushpalal Chowk in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis-2. Among the arrested are Praveen Bista of Kalikot Khandachakra Municipality-9 and Raj Bahadur Karki of Ward No. 7 of the same Municipality.

 
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