KATHMANDU: Richard Bennet, representative of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal expressed his concerns on the reported promotions of journalist Birendra Sah's suspected killers.

Despite repeated calls and concerns expressed by the office, UCPN-M has appointed Lal Bahadur Chaudhary and Kundan Phaoujdar, two among the suspects accused of the killing, to the post of secretariat members of Maoists Bara district committee.

"Previously, UCPN-M leadership had assured that the accused were no longer with the Party. I am shocked to learn that the duo against whom there are outstanding arrest warrants, have been promoted within the Party," Bennett said in a press release issued today.

However, Krishna Bahadur Mahara have informed Bennet that the leadership was looking into the matter, the statement added.Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists has been condemning UCPN-M's move to promote them.