Kathmandu, April 26:

The National Human Rights Commission today released its report on the March 27 Gaur killings.

The report said it appears that the MJF had pre-planned the whole incident.

The government failed to provide security, the report said, accusing the Maoists of exposing arms and organising the programme at the same venue where the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) was supposed to organise its programme. The report has held the MJF accountable for “chasing and brutally killing” Maoist cadres.

Twenty-seven people were killed in the clash between the Maoists and the MJF cadres.

The report said many people could have been saved had the local administration acted wisely and coordinated with security forces in time. The report has held the chief district officer (CDO) accountable for failing to play an effective role and for being “out of touch”.

The report said both MJF cadres and Maoists turned down a request made at a meeting held between representatives of political parties and local administration to postpone their programme or shift the venue. “Both the sides expressed commitment to organise their programmes peacefully,” said the report.

“Maoist cadres resorted to blank-firing after they came to know that MJF cadres had vandalised their stage,” the report quoted eyewitnesses as saying.

“Gun shots were heard from near the MJF stage,” it said. The report said the Maoists were chased and brutally killed. MJF cadres outnumbered the Maoists, the report said. The Maoists were not familiar with the local terrain, the report said. Compared to other days, a large number of vehicles with Indian plates were found parked near the incident site, the report said.

Both the sides mobilised children below 17 years in rallies, the report said, adding that it did not find any proof of women being raped. “Firing from the Maoist side after the comprehensive peace accord is a violation of the agreement,” the report said. An official at the NHRC quoted some Maoists cadres as saying that they were carrying guns for their security.

The report has suggested the government to provide adequate compensation to the families of the victims.