Sukadev Chaudhari of Triyuga Municipality-5 and Deepak Adhikari of Jogidaha VDC-5 had fled the DFO custody during the Dashain holidays. They had been arrested on the charge of smuggling timber. They fled the DFO custody when they had been taken out of the lockup for evening meal on October 23.[break]
A team of forest guards led by First Class Warrant Officer Lekh Bahadur Magar arrested the duo from the forest of Bhartikharka in Triyuga municipality. According to Magar, the fugitives had come out of the jungle searching for food when they got hungry.
“We had reached the jungle searching for them. Coincidently, we found them coming to the village,” said Magar. Magar was the security in-charge when the duo had fled the custody.
The forest administration had warned four forest guards, including Magar, that they would be sacked if they failed to arrest the two. “Luckily, our job was saved,” said Chandra Bahadur Tamang, a second class warrant officer.
Chaudari and Adhikari had been arrested on 24 October from Gaighat bazaar while illegally transporting timber. According to Acting District Forest Officer Chandra Man Dangol, two will be awarded extra fine and punishment for fleeing the custody.
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