Kathmandu, August 4 The Accountability Watch Committee today wrote a letter to the National Human Rights Commission, requesting it to conduct free and fair investigation into the killing of Kumar Poudel in Sarlahi district on June 18. AWC also sought to establish through investigation whether it was an extrajudicial killing or not stating that ongoing interrogation of the cops involved in the incident by NHRC had raised the hope of doing justice to the kin of the deceased. Poudel was Sarlahi district In-charge of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal. The letter written by AWC drew attention of the NHRC to statements from the government which it said was meant to cover up the incident. The government has reiterated that Poudel was killed in an encounter with police. Main opposition Nepali Congress and various organisations have accused it of killing Poudel in a premeditated manner. “On-site inspection and study reports by various organisations and locals and relatives of Poudel have suspected that police shot him dead after taking the victim into custody. The government is not serious about bring out the truth even after obstruction of Parliamentary proceedings over this incident. “AHC is of the opinion that the government is trying to foster the culture of immunity by establishing the incident as a gun-fight,” the letter read. AWC also expressed concern over the practice of the NHRC of keeping investigation report under the wrap and not recommending the government for action against the guilty. “Lack of disclosure of findings of investigation and recommendation for action is likely to contribute to recurrence of such incidents. Therefore, we urge the rights body to conduct free and fair investigation into the killing of Poudel, and disclose its findings and recommend action against the guilty,” the AWC stated.