A special task force of Nepal Police, on Monday, arrested a top member of Harahang gang, an armed group that is said to be involved in numerous criminal activities in Taplejung district. The arrested– Deu Bahadur Labung, 71 -- is the top fugitive among the four most wanted fugitives, according to police. He is said to be involved in 11 cases of serious crimes, including robbery, bombing, and armed crimes in the district.

According to police, Labung is the main advisor of the criminal gang. Police said he was also involved in the attack against police that took place in Khupatal of Ikhabu on October 16, 2015, following which police registered cases against members of Harahang gang. “After we lodged the case against Labung, he had been absconding,” informed Deputy Inspector of Police (DSP) Ram Bahadur KC, chief of District Police Office (DPO), Taplejung.

According to the DPO, Harahang group had formed Kirat Mulbasi National Force to act as an armed wing of the Kirat Mulbasi Party about three years ago. After the formation of the wing, they had been carrying out various armed activities and spreading terror in the district, police said. Police were informed that the gang, which had set up its base in upper Ikhabu VDC, was carrying out criminal activities. Acting on the information, police had set up security camps in the nearby areas in their attempt to arrest the gang's members. “Following our campaign, the gang drastically decreased its activities for the past seven months,” said DSP KC. Although police have described the gang as criminal, the gang identifies itself as a political party.