Lalitpur, July 28:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the government to file a murder case against persons involved in the killing of Dailekh-based journalist Dekendra Thapa.

Maoist activists had abducted journalist Thapa from Toli VDC and killed him on July 26, 2004.

A team of forensic had exhumed a body from a jungle near Dwari secondary school in Dailekh district on June 12.

Forensic tests had proved that it was Thapa’s body.

NHRC deputy director Yagta Prasad Adhikari said the involvement of Ranajit, the then Dailekh district chief of the CPN (Maoist), in the murder had been proved.

The deputy Adhikari also said the government was hesitating to punish those involved in the murder of the journalist.

“The government should act in accordance with the NHRC directive,” Adhikari

further said.