KATHMANDU: Sushil Nahata, member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) had a narrow escape yesterday from what he claims gun-wielding UCPN-M Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee members. Organising a press meet in the capital today, Nahata said that the armed men belonging to the UCPN- Maoist barged into his private office - Nepal Freight and Forwarders Pvt Ltd in Naxal Chardhuge - damaging property. The incident occurred yesterday at around 6:15 pm. He alleged that it was a deliberate attack to take his life over Pashupatinath's priests appointment row. "I narrowly escaped from death at the hands of Maoists,” he told the journalists. “Had I not left my office half-an-hour before they stormed in, they would have killed me," he said. He alleged that he had been frequently receiving death and abduction threats from a group of people whom he identifies as the Maoist Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee, soon after the appointment of two Indian priests in the holy temple. "I was in Maharajgunj when my clerks in the office informed me about the incident. They searched me every nook and corners before venting angers at my properties and valuables,” he said. “I have to live in constant fear after the PAJCT was formed to brew tension in the world heritage site - Pashupatinath Temple," Nahata said. Following the incident, Nahata lodged a complaint at the police department demanding action against the culprits and adequate security to him and his next of kin. Meanwhile, Paramananda Shakya, former member secretary of PADT and associate coordinator of PAJCT refuted Nahata's claim and said it was a blatant lie. He said that the unfounded rumour was spread by Nahata to cover up his weakness in aiding the appointment of Indian priests.