Increase in Theft, Disputes, and Conflicts During Bodhichitta Season in Kavrepalanchok
As the value of Bodhichitta beans rises in Kavrepalanchok, incidents of theft and disputes between orchard owners and traders are becoming more frequent. According to the District Police Office, there have been nine reported thefts of Bodhichitta this season, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. Security measures have been intensified to resolve conflicts related to the rights to pick beans from trees and purchase-sale agreements. July 23, Kavrepalanchok.
The Bodhichitta harvesting season has commenced. However, this year in Kavrepalanchok, repeated cases of Bodhichitta theft, disputes, and conflicts have been reported. Dozens of incidents related to Bodhichitta are under investigation. Due to the high value, disputes among orchard owners and traders, between traders themselves, and between orchard owners have posed additional security challenges. From May 3 to July 9, multiple thefts of Bodhichitta occurred across the district.
Farmers in Dhulikhel, Panauti, Panchkhal, Bhumlu, Mandandeupur, and Roshi rural municipalities have been affected by theft. In some areas, trees have been cut to steal beans, while in others, thefts have been carried out at night via motorcycles. According to Robin Bista, spokesperson for the Kavrepalanchok District Police Office, at least 12 incidents related to Bodhichitta have occurred this season. On July 27, in Anikot, Panchkhal Municipality-1, a tree belonging to Kulman Tamang was cut in the middle and beans were stolen.
Other incidents include the theft of Bodhichitta beans from Suman Lama in Kamrang Tole, Bhumlu-5 on August 6. On August 9, Akkal Bahadur Tamang’s farm in Chitleka, Mandandeupur-2, experienced the theft of Bodhichitta garlands, followed by the theft of Bodhichitta from Manorath Bhurtel’s orchard in Rajwas, Roshi-9, on August 10. Police records show that out of nine theft incidents, two to three perpetrators have been arrested. Temal and Roshi rural municipalities in Kavrepalanchok are considered the primary regions for Bodhichitta cultivation.