KATHMANDU: Kathmandu police have arrested Shivaraj Dhamala, a Tikapur-1, Kailali resident, in connection with the theft of modern firearms during Gen Z protests.

Dhamala was apprehended Wednesday in Tarakeshwar Municipality–11, and authorities recovered a fully automatic INSAS rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol reportedly stolen from law enforcement during the unrest.

Security sources indicate that on the first day of the protests, members of the Durga Prasai faction allegedly used ride-sharing workers to mobilize crowds and escalate clashes.

Following this, police began investigating ride-share connections to the violence and arson that marked the second day of demonstrations.

Acting as potential buyers, a special investigation team approached Dhamala, who offered to sell a pistol, leading to his arrest.

A search of his rented room uncovered all three firearms, stolen on September 9, though the exact theft location remains under investigation.

Authorities said the probe is ongoing to trace the origin of the weapons and the wider network behind the incident.