Kathmandu, March 29:

Human rights activists today condemned the government for failing to take action against the security forces for killing innocent civilians.

Addressing a programme organised by the Human Right Organisation of Nepal (HURON) on the recent murder of human rights activist Dayaram Pariyar, the activists said the security personnel had now obtained the licence to kill anyone due to the state of impunity in the country.

Pariyar, who was shot at by a policeman on March 24 at Janakchowk of Janakpur district, died at TU Teaching Hospital yesterday.

“It is shameful that the State-sponsored security forces kill civilians, and yet the government keeps mum. This shows the government is promoting

such irresponsible behaviour of the security personnel,” said Padma Ratna Tuladhar, the chairman of the Forum for Protection of Human Rights.

The killing of a rights activist at the hands of security men is unprecedented in Nepal, he said, adding, “This incident hints at a new trend of impunity. All of us should be alert of this development.”

The trend of killing of civilians was rising after the King assumed absolute power, he said.

Former member of Nepal Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Kapil Shrestha, urged the State to be careful while mobilising the “irresponsible” security forces.

“This is an example of State terrorism. The State is now the top human rights violator and Nepal is synonymous with disobedience of international legal provisions,” he said. “The recent government action infuriates me,” Shrestha said.

He asked why the State and security personnel had not uttered a single word on the death of a non-combatant.

Advocate Sindhunath Pyakurel, former chairman of Nepal Bar Association, said the security men involved in murder of civilians must be brought to civil courts.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Nepal Centre at New Delhi said that former NHRC member Sushil Pyakurel has written a letter to NHRC chairman Nayan Bahadur Khatri, highlighting the sorry plight of human rights activists in Nepal and unsafe environment they work under.

“It is disappointing that the NHRC has not come out with a formal statement as it is now clear that security men killed one of its staffers,” the release said.

Meanwhile, the CPN-UML today expressed the party’s heartfelt condolence over the passing away of Pariyar.

“The party is shocked by the death of a human rights defender and expresses its sympathy for the bereaved family members,” said a press statement issued by the party central office. It also condemned the government forces for shooting Pariyar to death and demanded action against the culprits.

In yet another press statement, the party condemned the Maoists for abducting Nathuni Sahani, a labour leader of Bara district, from Simara. Sahani’s whereabouts is still unknown to his family members, the statement said.

The party said the Maoists had continued with the abduction of civilians despite its 12-point understanding with the seven-party alliance, in which the rebels committed to refrain from all abductions. The party has demanded Sahani’s immediate release.

Civilians killed by security men

• December 14 - Army man Basudev Thapa killed 11 civilians at Nagarkot

• February 8 - Security men kill a UML activist in Dang

• March 14 - Policemen kill headmaster Sahadev Sharma in Nepalgunj

• March 17 - Security men kill Chinimaya Sarki at Okhaldhunga District Police Office

• March 18 - ASI Bidhan Chandra Shah kills guesthouse owner Bhuwan Kharel at Bagbazaar

• March 24 - Security forces under Police Inspector kill RPP activist Ram

Chandra Yadav

• March 28 - Policemen open fire at Dayaram Pariyar in Janakpur, who later died in Kathmandu