Kathmandu, June 14:

The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has postponed the second stage of registration and verification of Maoist combatants on the request of the CPN-Maoist. The verification was to start from today in Ilam.

The Maoist leadership asked UNMIN not to go ahead with the second stage of registration in view of the killings of Maoist cadres — Dashrath Thakur in Saptari district and Binod Panta and Sheshmani Lamichhane in Rupandehi.

UNMIN condemned the killings and called upon the authorities to make urgent efforts to bring those responsible to book.

UNMIN and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Kathamndu today sent investigation teams to Rupandehi district.

The United Nations mission is waiting for a Maoist word to go ahead with the process. The UN Secretary-General’s personal representative to Nepal, Ian Martin, said today that the registration and verification process would begin soon.