Kathmandu, February 11:

Human Rights activists today said that the murder of UML-activist Umesh Chandra Thapa in Dang was “intentional and clod-blooded”, while releasing a detailed report of the incident.

Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee (HRTMCC) has come to the conclusion that Thapa was killed by the security forces using excessive force at Ghorahi, Dang, on Wednesday.

NC cadre Krishna Giri sustained bullet injury at the same incident. HRTMCC is an alliance of over two dozen human rights organisations and the team consists of nine members.

The report also states that the incident was the result of Home Minister Kamal Thapa’s public order a day before the elections to open fire on demonstrators on the polling day.

The fact-finding mission of HRTMCC found that the security forces did not give any kind of prior warning, such as blank-firing, baton-charging or arresting before the shooting.

“The incident is a gross violation of the constitution of Nepal 1990, Local Administration ACT 2028 and International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights,” the report says.

Addressing the programme organised to release the report, Subodh Pyakurel, the chairman of Informal Education Sector Service Centre (INSEC), today said the security forces had resorted to indiscriminate shooting at people, who were returning home after taking part in a protest programme.

“It was the natural follow-up action of what Home Minister Kamal Thapa ordered to the security forces — to quell down the rising protest against the civic polls, “ he said, adding that nobody can authorise the security forces for “unlimited rights” and no constitution permits an appointed home minister to deliver such “irresponsible” expression on serious topics like security.

Due to such an excessive use of power, some rulers have been caught and punished by International Tribunal, Pyakurel said.

At the same time, he also said that the the government’s justification, which states that one among the demonstrator had opened fire on police force, is groundless.

“It was told that an inspector at the vehicle was shot on his thumb which, causing him 0.5 mm wound. It is ridiculous,” he said.

Terming the incident pre-planned, Dr Gopal Krishna Shibakoti of Inhured International said the indiscriminate shooting cannot be justified.

He said, “This incident is totally against human rights nomrs and international laws. It deserves a case in international tribunal.”

HTRMC has demanded that an independent probe committee on the incident be formed with the involvement of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights and action be taken against the guilty. “The state should provide treatment to the injured and compensate the victim’s family,” the report adds.