Ramesh Gautam was reportedly arrested at about 10pm on 3 August, from his rented room in Maitidevi in the capital Kathmandu. He was arrested by army personnel, who told him they were taking him for questioning. He has not been seen since then, and there are fears for his safety.

Dinesh Chaulagain, who was living in the same rented rooms in Maitidevi, was also reportedly arrested along with Ramesh Gautam, but was released on 12 August.

Ramesh Gautam is a student of humanities and social sciences at the Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tahachal, Kathmandu, and also works in a shop selling Chinese goods. It is believed that he may have been arrested because the security forces suspect that he and/or his relatives are members or sympathizers of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist).

Ramesh Gautam was released sometime in September, exact date unknown. Details of his treatment in custody are not known. He had been held in detention since 3 August.

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