RUKUM, October 28: Five individuals including a local elected representative have been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of a school teacher in Rukum District .
Makhan Kumar K.C., a teacher at Adharbhut Vidhyala of Rukum Putha Uttarganga Ward 2, suddenly disappeared some three months ago. Local Ward Chairperson Satsingh Budha along with School Management Committee Chairman Jas Bahadur Kami and locals Ramraj Jhakri, Binod Khatri, and Bikash Budha were taken into custody.
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K.C. was beaten up by some youths on August 16, after which he disappeared. According to Bishnu Prasad Paudel, registrar at the district court, the five in custody are being held to facilitate investigations.
On August 16, the school management committee was selected and Kami became the new chairperson. Kami invited the school officials to his house. K.C. was also present. After a while, Ramraj ordered two youths to beat up K.C., who was subsequently set upon by Khatri and Bikash Budha.
According to K.C.'s brother Mohan K.C. , he sustained serious injuries.
K.C. tried to file a complaint at the ward office the next day but without success. His brother informed school authorities about the disappearance and himself led a futile search . A complaint was then filed at the district police office and the five were taken into custody.
According to district court officials, the ward chairperson and other suspected assailants had pressured local forest officials not to divulge any details relating to the incident .
