KATHMANDU, March 15: At a time when there has been an acute shortage of medical masks in the market, police on Saturday arrested eight individuals for their alleged involvement in the black marketing of face masks from Kathmandu Metropolis-15.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of police from the Baneshwor Metropolitan Police Sector and Swoyambu Metropolitan Police Sector raided Mahakal Manjushree Traders operated by Mintu Tamang, and confiscated 75,000 units of hidden face masks. The police investigation found that the retailer was selling face maska at Rs 31 per piece, though the price of masks is Rs five per unit.  The arrestees have been sent to the Metropolitan Police Range Teku for further investigation. 

According to police, action will be taken against the arrestees according to the Black Marketing Act. Those arrested have been identified as Mintu Tamang, 30, a resident of Kathmandu-15; Mankaji Lama, 35, of Lalitpur; Anish Karki, 23, of Nagarjun-2; Thumraj Upadhyay, 21, of Lalitpur; Nirpa Karki, 25, of Kathmandu; Ujjwal Adhikari, 28, of Kathmandu; Shiva Khadka, 24, of Lalitpur; and Nishan Tamang, 20, of Kathmandu-15. In the meantime, police have also urged the public to inform them about any black marketeers in the market.

Likewise, the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection Management has also urged the public to inform the department about black marketeers by calling at the toll free number 1137. Retailers found at fault will be slapped a fine of up to Rs 200,000 for creating an artificial shortage in the market, according to the department.

 
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