Govt offices shut to protest killing

Mahottari, June 20:

All government offices and the bazaar in Jaleshwor, the district headquarters of Mahottari, remained shut today in protest against the killing of the sub-overseer at Mahottari District Development Committee (DDC), Purna Singh Pradhan, yesterday.

The district chapter of the Government Workers’ Organisation and Government Workers’ Union and some other workers’ organisations condemned the killing and demanded Pradhan be declared a martyr. They also demanded that the government provide security to government employees.

Speaking at a condolence meet, Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma said: “The murder of a civil servant is a criminal act and is condemnable.” He assured that the guilty would be brought to book after investigation.

Hundreds of locals turned up for Pradhan’s funeral procession, whose final rites were performed today.

Cadres of the Jwala Singh-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha shot Pradhan dead while he was returning to Jaleshwor after surveying the under-construction Bathanaha bridge yesterday.

Meanwhile, a report from Gaighat said workers at Udaypur DDC and Technicians’ Office halted work for an hour to protest Pradhan’s murder. In a statement, the District Development Workers’ Union, Udaypur, demanded punishment to the culprits. The statement also demanded Pradhan be declared a martyr.