Farmer Held Hostage for 13 Hours in Lamjung, Nepal

A 56-year-old farmer was held hostage for 13 hours and physically assaulted in Lamjung, Nepal, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred at the Green Grow Agro Farm in Jitam, Madhya Nepal Municipality-1, Lamjung, where the farmer, Balram Sayaju, was taken hostage on the evening of 22 Jestha, 2083, at around 7:15 pm and released the next morning at around 8:15 am.

According to the Lamjung District Police Office, the victim was physically assaulted and threatened with a khukuri, a traditional Nepali knife. The attacker also forced the victim to sign several checks.

Police have arrested 33-year-old Arjun Khana, a resident of Shuklagandaki Municipality-6, Tanahun, in connection with the incident. Khana was arrested on Sunday from Sundarbazar Municipality-1, Lamjung.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident and have obtained a five-day extension from the Lamjung District Court to further investigate the case.

According to the police, they are also investigating the motive behind the incident, the amount of money involved in the forced checks, and the possible involvement of other individuals.