NC denies hand in Dang, Surkhet killings

Kathmandu, April 9:

Maoist chairman Prachanda today condemned the brutal killings of his party’s cadres in Deukhuri of Dang and asked the government to take stern action against the guilty. Over 25 Maoist cadres were also injured in the firing in Deukhuri. He wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Issuing a press statement, Prachanda said the Deukhuri massacre was one of the series of killings of his party cadres carried out by the “corrupt” and “feudal” elements. He said scores of Maoist cadres had lost their lives after the party entered the peace process.

Prachanda has called upon his party rank and file to maintain patience and convert the grief into courage at the moment of historic constituent assembly election. He accused the feudal forces, who could see their downfall after the success of constituent assembly election, of provoking the Deukhuri massacre. He also appealed to the people to exercise their democratic right and make the election a success.

Earlier in the morning, Prachanda met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s official residence and asked the PM to take strong action against those found guilty of killing his cadres.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has said its leaders were not behind the violent incidents that took place in Surkhet and Dang districts yesterday.

This came after some media reports claimed some NC leaders were involved in the incidents in Surkhet and Dang districts.

Condoling the death of Sharma, the NC has asked the government to investigate the murder. The NC accused Maoist cadres of attempting to murder Khum Bahadur Khadka, party’s central leader and candidate from Dang-1, yesterday.

Khadka somehow dodged bullets, which were fired by the Maoists while he was returning home after attending programmes at Govariya and Rajapur VDCs, the NC said in a statement today. “The NC flays the attempts to link the party in this incident too,” the statement added.

The NC also condoled the death of those, who were killed in the firing.