Milan Gurung, alias Chakre Milan, who was previously recognized as a gangster leader, was arrested by police from the Maharajgunj area Thursday night.
A joint team from the District Police Office, Kathmandu, and the Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested him from Hotel Sambala, Bansbari Road.
Although SP Kuldeep Chand, Spokesperson of Kathmandu Police, confirmed that several individuals with a gangster background were arrested last night, he did not provide further details.
“The police conducted an operation last night, but I can’t tell on the exact number of arrestees right now,” he told Onlinekhabar.
Convoy escort for Chakre Milan
According to police sources, Chakre’s supporters had been celebrating his birthday for two days. He was reportedly seen in the Pashupati area on Thursday afternoon.
He was spotted distributing money to people around the temple who were asking for help. He was also seen with a few rappers in Thamel. Well-known rappers had gathered with his supporters to celebrate his birthday, during which police say up to 20 cakes were cut in one place.
In the afternoon, Chakre’s group escorted him in a convoy of vehicles all the way to Maharajgunj. Both Kathmandu Police and the Crime Investigation Office were informed about this movement.
However, as Chakre had not been directly involved in any recent criminal activity, authorities were initially hesitant about whether to take action.
Arrests from Chakre Milan’s birthday party
Later that night, police received information that his group was causing a disturbance at the hotel. SSP Bishwo Adhikari of Kathmandu Police then discussed the matter with higher authorities. Consequently, Chakre was nabbed for causing a public disturbance. Total of 47 individuals with a criminal background who had gathered to celebrate his birthday were also detained.
But it has not yet been decided what specific charges will be filed against them.
On February 6, the Valley Crime Investigation Office had arrested seven individuals for posting videos on TikTok where they were seen cutting cakes with swords and displaying khukuris and other weapons.
They were charged with disturbing public peace, but the government attorney decided not to pursue the case, leading to their release.
After the 2006/07 People’s Movement, Chakre Milan in Maharajgunj, Deepak Manange in Thamel, and Raju Gorkhali in Chabahil emerged as leaders of different criminal gangs. Later, figures like Ganesh Lama and Dawa Lama also became involved in similar activities.
While Manange and the Lama duo have tried to “cleanse” their past by entering politics, Manange was even elected a provincial assembly member and became a minister in Gandaki Province, Ganesh Lama is active in the party politics with the Nepali Congress. Dawa Lama, who was wanted by the police until 2018, is now vice-chair of Bhulmule Rural Municipality in Kavre.
Manange is currently in Dillibazaar Jail for attacking Milan Gurung with a sword at Chufang Restaurant in Maharajgunj on May 13, 2004.
Initially, the District Court, Kathmandu, sentenced him to 2 years for assault, not attempted murder, and he was released after serving the sentence.
However, the Patan High Court later overturned that ruling, increasing his sentence to 5 years. Manange appealed to the Supreme Court, but on November 6, 2024, the apex court upheld the High Court’s decision, leading to his re-arrest.
Previously, Chakre Milan was involved in extortion through construction tenders and loan-sharking. But with the introduction of online bidding for contracts, the involvement of people with criminal backgrounds in tenders has declined.
Due to aggressive policing against known gang leaders, many of them have tried to change their paths; particularly after gangsters with alleged strong political backing like Dinesh Adhikari alias Chari and Kumar Ghainte were killed in police encounters.
After the 2017 murder of construction businessman Sharad Gauchan, followed by the death of Manoj Pun and arrests of other suspects, those with criminal backgrounds have become more cautious, police officials say. However, new police leadership in the valley often keeps an eye on such individuals.
Recently, Yuvraj Gurung, known as Sanu Bhai, was arrested from a dohori sanjh (folk music venue) in Thamel for allegedly getting into a fight at Nagarkot Dohori Sanjh.
He was also arrested in June–July 2023 for allegedly assaulting the manager of Club Omnia in Thamel. At that time, police paraded him through the Thamel area in handcuffs.
Later, the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, released him on bail of Rs 10,000 under the charge of disorderly conduct.
