Crime: Two minors and two students were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three and half years to five years for armed robbery by the Tsirang district court on January 23.

The sentenced are between the ages of 17 and 20. They were found guilt of having robbed a group of labourers in Reserbroo on January 1.

The main culprit, a repeat offender and also a school drop out and his accomplice, also a school drop out, were given a prison term of three and half years each. Both are minors.

Whereas two students aged 18 and 20, were given a prison term of five years each.

“All four of them were charged with robbery, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy which falls under the felony of third degree as per the Penal Code of Bhutan, section 46,” the court’s verdict stated.

Three mobile phones, two mobile chargers, four sim cards which are recovered from the culprits were handed over to the victims.

The robbery happened on the night of January 1 when the culprits went to celebrate New Year with their friends at Patshaling.

“The main culprit, a 17-year-old boy, knocked the door of a camp house where a group of labourers lived and asked for water. After that, he asked for a mobile phone to call one of his friends,” says the investigation report. Immediately after taking the phone from a labourer, the boy took out a knife and asked all the labourers to hand over their mobile phones and money.

According to the victims’ statement to the police, the culprits snatched four mobile phones, four mobile chargers, four SIM cards, a halogen light and Nu 6,000.

The culprits have 10 days to appeal to appeal the court’s verdict.

Reserboo is about 16 km away from Damphu town.

By Yeshey Dema, Tsirang