‘Needle attack’ perpetrator lands in police net

Kathmandu / June 28: One of the perpetrators involved in the recent incidents of attack on women with sharp objects, in the capital city, has landed in the police net.

Santosh Karki (30) was arrested from Maharajgunj yesterday around 10:30 pm, confirmed Chief at the Metropolitan Police Range, Teku, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Uttam Subedi. Karki is currently kept under police custody at the Police Range in Teku.

Central Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Bishwaraj Pokharel, informed that Karki has confessed to the crime stating that the attacks were carried out with nails and not with syringe needles. He added that investigation will be carried out to verify this.

The recent attacks have created much panic among Kathmandu denizens, especially women. Motorcycle-borne gangs have been targeting women, mainly pedestrians, indiscriminately in the evening, fleeing the scene after pricking the victims with a pointed metal.

The first incident of such an attack was reported in Swayambhu in mid-April. At least eight women have been allegedly attacked since. Most of the victims were targeted in Swayambhu and Thamel areas. According to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, as many as eight women visited the health facility for counselling and treatment of prick wounds. It said their health was normal but tests have been carried out to ensure this.