Two more persons have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a religious leader at Jatuwa in Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Morang. Earlier, police arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in shooting and injuring Acharya Shree Niwas.

Police, however, have not disclosed the identity of the arrestees citing investigation process.

According to DSP Arun BC, the names have not been made public for now as they are interrogating the arrested persons.

An unidentified group had shot and injured Acharya in Biratnagar in the wee hours of Sunday.

Niwas, who sustained injuries in his shoulder, is undergoing treatment at the Thapathali-based Neuro Hospital. 

Niwas, who has been advocating for Hindu Kingdom, is believed to be close to deposed King Gyanendra Shah.

He accompanied the former monarch on the latter’s visit to various religious sites in Province 1 last week. He also has links with Shiva Sena Nepal that has been carrying out activities promoting Hindu religion.

Acharya Shree Niwas was making preparations for Shreemat Bhagwat Saptaha, a week-long religious programme, which kicked off at Jatuwa on Sunday.

Following the attack, Niwas’s supporters and institutions he is affiliated to condemned the attacked and drew the attention of the concerned stakeholders to be serious in the security.