Kathmandu, March 24:

Human rights activists today urged the Maoists not to be provoked by the Gaur incident and give continuity to the peace process.

“It is obvious that the massacre in Gaur is condemnable and the culprits had intended to provoke the Maoists to retaliate and dismantle to peace process. This is time for the whole nation to understand the gravity of the situation and take steps patiently,” said rights activist, Krishna Pahadi, speaking at a programme at the Reporters’ Club.

He charged the government of showing a dual character — a section collaborating with the Maoists and another supporting the Mahesh Janaadhikar Forum. “It was the government’s prime responsibility to avoid such clashes and also to show concern after the incident,” he said.

Another rights activist Dr Arjun Karki, who returned from spot visit, said that the incident in Gaur was highly condemnable and guided by those who did not want to see democracy strengthen and obstruct an election to a constituent assembly by taking advantage of the “incompetent” government.

He urged the government and the Maoists to learn a lesson from the Gaur incident.

“The wounds and injuries in the bodies suggest that they were murdered in the same manner, by organised, trained, and probably the same person,” he said, adding that many of the women victims were raped and murdered. “The incident could have been easily avoided if the local administration or security forces had showed presence at the scene,” he said.

He said that the Rautahat Chief District Officer, Madhav Ojha, was taking shelter in an army barrack at the moment, instead of making necessary arrangements to calm the situation.

Prof Kapil Shrestha, a former member of National Human Rights Commission, said the government remained a silent spectator when a gang of criminals rendered the political movement useless. He demanded a credible and inclusive probe commission and punishment for the culprits.

He also condemned the MJF for not showing any response to the incident and its consequences. Charan Prasai, former chairman of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, said the incident could be noted as a ‘black day’ in Nepal’s history and the government must take steps to avoid repetition of such incidents.