By Nayak Paudel
Kathmandu, Nov. 10: Alcohol consumption is one of the main reasons behind various crimes taking place across the country, records of Nepal Police says.
According to the records of Nepal Police, alcohol has been a reason behind crimes such as murder, fights leading to serious injuries, deaths and domestic violence, among others.
Alcohol consumption in Nepal has been rampant among the adults, especially men. Easy availability of alcohol is largely to blame for the same.
On October 27, two individuals – Indrajeet Gurung and Gir Bahadur Gurung – were arrested from Ward 6 of Putalibazar Municipality, in Syangja district, after they beat 29-year-old Surya Bahadur Gurung to death over the issue of swing playing. He died while undergoing treatment in the Manipal Hospital at Pokhara in the Kaski district.
The two men had drunk heavily when they beat the victim.
Similarly, on August 13 Area Police Office at Damak in Jhapa district arrested 24-year-old Dinesh Rishidev, for murdering his 50-year-old mother, Mira Rishidev. Drunk Dinesh had attacked his mother with an axe and stone.
Likewise, on June 13, Amit Rasaili, a resident of Pokhara-29, was killed by his friends following a dispute over whose girlfriend was more beautiful, at a party thrown by Rasaili over a bike, which he had recently bought.
Police, who initiated the search operation right after getting notified on Rasaili’s missing, found his body in the Seti River the next day, on June 14.
In addition to murder, alcohol consumption is also a major cause of domestic violence against women.
Drunken individuals are also found disturbing peace and order in the society.
On October 4, a team from Gongabu Police in the Capital arrested Santosh BK and two others at Tokha Municipality, for damaging a bus (Baa 4 Kha 8845). The trio were heavily drunk as they were hitting the bus with stones and bricks.
In addition to the general public, even police themselves are found to be victims of drunkards. According to police, they are –time and again – physically assaulted by the drunken individuals.
On October 3, a police officer deployed from Metropolitan Police Beat, Thimi, was physically assaulted by two drunk individuals – Jeevan Malla and Sudan Rokka – who were arrested the same night.
Since alcohol is readily available, anyone has access to it. This has adversely affected the lives of many. Nevertheless, its sale and consumption is still poorly regulated, if at all.