MUGU: A marauding gang of looters plundered Dolphu village of Mugum Karmarong rural municipality-1 in Mugu district, taking advantage of the absence of villagers on Saturday.    
The villagers had left their homes for combing highland meadows in search of yarsagumba, a precious herb with purported aphrodisiac property.    

The armed looters ransacked houses and made away with cashes, jewelries and other goods, according to Chairman of Karmarong rural municipality, Chhiring Kyapne Lama.    
"There were only elderly and children in the village in which the armed gang robbed. Out of 50 houses, the gang plundered assets from 23 houses," he informed, adding that even a priest at a shrine was beaten by the gang.    
The gang did not spare even the dogs guarding the houses.    

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Topendra KC informed that a police team was deputed from Pulu police post, a five-hour trek from the village, immediately after receiving the information.     Mugum Karmarong-1 Chairman Tunduk Lama had informed police about the looting spree. “The assailants had come with guns, scimitars and khukuris. They looted jewelries, ancient pots, medicinal herbs, and clothes,” he added.    
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Birendra Thapa, informed that the incident site had no access to communications, so it was difficult to contact the police team mobilized there.    
Ward no 1, 3 and 4 of Mugum Karmarong rural municipality fall in the Tse Phoksundo National Park. After the local level gave permission to collect yarsagumba for this season, the locals had left their villages since May 23 and headed towards the highlands. -- RSS