By IANS,
Kathmandu : They came to Nepal to view the shrine of Lord Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Hindu deities, and offer their prayers. However, they stayed on – and began robbing other Indian devotees who flocked to the 17th century temple in Kathmandu daily.
Kathmandu police Friday arrested a gang of eight Indian pilgrims turned robbers, who were headed by Nathuram Verma from Faizabad in India’s Uttar Pradesh state.
According to Santosh Tamang, inspector at the Gaushala police station in Kathmandu, the gang used to target Indians who were happy to meet fellow Indians who seemed to be at home in the sprawling, maze-like temple complex.
The gang would offer its services as guides as well as pretend to find hotel accommodation and transport back home. On the way, it would rob the unsuspecting travellers.
It also stole cash and other valuables carried by Indian pilgrims, Tamang said.
Police said they had confiscated more than Rs.140,000 from the gang.
Three other members of the gang have been identified as Ghanshyam Verma, Ram Pyara and Dam Sharan, Nepal’s official media said Saturday.