Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 24:

Association of Sufferers of Maoists Atrocities in Nepal (ASMAN) today organised a sit-in programme in front of the United Nations building at Pulchowk. The sit-in was organised there to draw the attention of the United Nations on the plight of the people displaced by the ongoing war after the government ‘refused’ to listen to them. Dharma Raj Neupane, acting president of ASMAN - association of the internally displaced people living in the valley handed over a letter of memorandum to a senior Human Rights advisor of the United Nations David Johnson. The association has sought UN support for the families displaced by the conflict.

Neupane said the ASMAN will hold talks with Ian Martin, chief of the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitoring mission in Nepal after he arrives in the city.

He said he explained Johnson about the plight of the displaced families and that the UN official responded very positively. He also claimed that the zonal administrator Shekhar Gurung ‘humiliated’ the victims. ASMAN has been demanding the government recognise them as ‘internal refugees’ and provide food and shelter. The Maoist victims are staying at Open Air Theatre at Tundikhel in a bid to sensitise the public about their plight. The association of sufferers of Maoists atrocities has reiterated that it will continue the protest programmes until their demands are met.