Bardiya, August 18:

Maoist cadres murdered Sushil Gyawali (40), a resident of Madaha of Motipur VDC- 5, and critically injured his wife last night.

Gyawali, who was sleeping in his house was taken out and attacked with khukuri at 11 pm, stated district police office, Bardiya. Rekha, Gyawali’s wife, has been undergoing treatment at Bheri Zonal Office in Nepalgunj.

Five Maoist cadres, including Maoists area committee members Dhan Bahadur Tharu and Prabhu Tharu, were allegedly involved in the incident.

Locals managed to nab Prabhu Tharu, who has admitted to his involvement in the murder.

According to Prabhu, local community forest directed Gyawali to submit Rs 70,000 till Friday on the charge of illegally felling the trees in the forest and selling them. Gyawali was the treasurer of the community forest and member of the committee formed to monitor illegally felling of the trees.

SP (Bardiya) Shyam Bahadur Khadka said, “We are investigating the case and action will be taken against the guilty.” A team led by CDO, Shiva Prasad Nepal and SP Khadka visited the site today. Locals also nabbed Maoist area incharge, Aslin, after Maoists denied any hand in the murder through FM. Aslin admitted that all involved in the murder were party cadres and that action would be taken against them. Aslin claimed that they acted on their own and not on the direction of the party. Locals chanted anti-Maoist slogans and took the body around Bansgadhi bazaar. Thousands of people participated the rally. All local educational institutions, transport services and the business sector remained shut. No vehicles plied west of Kohalpur.

Local representatives of the seven political parties held a meeting at Bansgadhi and demanded strict action against the guilty. The body was taken to Nepalgunj for post mortem. Gyawali is survived by a wife, a son and a daughter.

MPs flay Maoists for violating code

Kathmandu: The Members of Parliament on Friday criticised Maoists for violation of Ceasefire Code of Conduct and agreements.

They condemned killing of Sushil Gyawali by the Maoists in Bardiya district on Thursday. “Maoist criminals should be punished,” said MP Khem Raj Bhatta Mayalu, who is an MP from Bardiya. MP Navaraj Subedi of Janamorcha also said that the Maoists should punish criminal cadres. MP Hari Acharya criticised Maoists for extorting people. MP Kashi Poudel recalled her husband’s killing by the Maoists and said, “Maoists have violated Code of Conduct and killed people mercilessly. Prachanda should issue an apology.” MP Ram Chandra Tiwari criticised Maoists for launching their punishment drive in the districts. — HNS