Nearly 150 students arrested in Nepal vice crackdown

Kathmandu, March 19 (IANS) In a massive crackdown on vice, police in Nepal Friday said they had arrested nearly 150 students from a discotheque here that has been raided in the past too for alleged illegal activities.

The students, both boys and girls, are from about 15 reputed high schools and colleges in the capital.

Many of them were in their uniform, smoking and drinking beer when the police raided the Babylon Disco in the Sundhara area.

An investigation is on to determine if they were also taking drugs and carrying weapons.

"Though it is not a crime to visit discos, the issue is whether students should play truant and frequent such places especially still in their uniform," said Vigyan Sharma, spokesperson for the police.

In Nepal, youths under 16 are not allowed by law to buy or consume tobacco products and alcoholic drinks, a regulation that is flouted more than obeyed.

In many of the mushrooming discos and dance bars in the capital, nude dances are also allegedly performed.

The police have been raiding dance bars and massage parlours from time to time to find girls employed there to be underage.

According to the police, many held during recent raids said they willingly chose the profession as it was far more lucrative than other jobs they could possibly get with their meagre qualifications.

The capital's theatres have also been witnessing a rise in the number of uniformed students during school hours.

Sharma said the guardians of the detained students will be called before deciding what action should be taken against them.