Looting and Arson at Bhatbhateni Naxal

Amid the ongoing Gen-Z protests, demonstrators looted and set fire to the Bhatbhateni Super Store in Naxal, Kathmandu.

This outlet, known as the first Bhatbhateni store, was targeted after protestors looted goods and then torched the premises, according to Bhatbhateni’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Panu Paudel. “The protestors looted goods from the store and then set it on fire. The extent of the damage is not yet confirmed, but the entire store has been engulfed,” he stated.

The Naxal branch was originally established in 1986 (2043 BS) by businessman Min Bahadur Gurung. Earlier, during the royalist movement, a similar looting incident had taken place at the Koteshwor Bhatbhateni branch.

Police and fire brigades were deployed to control the blaze, but authorities have estimated significant losses. Observers note that this incident has dealt a serious blow to the country’s retail business sector.