Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 7:

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has expressed concern over the disappearance and abduction of individuals and has called on both the government and the Maoists to immediately investigate into such incidents and release the victims. The security forces reportedly arrested Tulsi Giri, 62, Baburam Parajuli, and Hariratna Puri ,57, residents of Tilahar village development committee ward number eight of Parbat on January 1.

They were asked to go with the security personnel for some inquiry but their whereabouts are unknown since then. Similarlyy, a group of Maoists reportedly abducted Hom Bahadur Hamal, 30, residing in Lunkhu village development committee ward number seven, Parbat on December 29 and his whereabouts are still unknown. “We call for both the government and the Maoists to immediately locate these persons, to guarantee their security and to order their immediate release,” said AHRC in its statement. It urged the authorities to launch a “thorough investigation into the circumstances of these arrests and forced disappearances in order to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.” It further appealed the army and the police to stop illegal arrests, detention and disappearance of civilians.