Palpa, July 31:

Pro-Maoist Magar National Liberation Front (MNLF) today alleged that Nepal Army personnel opened fire at the MNLF militia who were sleeping at the Tansen Municipality office last night, injuring one of them.

Coordinator of MNLF, Santosh Budha Magar, at a press conference in Tansen today, claimed that the NA men opened fire from the Tundikhel area targeting 60 MNLF militia, who were sleeping in the Tansen Municipality office after attending MNLF’s convention last night.

Budha said the incident was a conspiracy to foil the ongoing peace process. “The Durbar Marg incident and now this shoot out incident point to a conspiracy to foil the peace process,” Budha said, adding, “We urge the government to immediately investigate the incident and take action against the culprits.”

CPN-Maoist leader Suresh Ale Magar said incidents like these, when peace process was on, didn’t augur well for the nation. CPN-Maoist Palpa district incharge, Sijal, also condemned the incident. He added that vigilantes and autocratic forces were trying to thwart the ongoing peace talks.

He warned that the Maoists would launch agitation if action was not taken against such forces. Activists of Maoist-aligned All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary staged a sit-in at the gate of District Administration Office, Palpa, demanding a probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, Company Commander of Rana Bam Company of Nepal Army situated at Tansen Pushpa Oli said the armymen did not open fire at anyone last night. Refuting the Maoists’ allegations, Oli said, “Nepal Army has not opened fire at anyone. This is merely a propaganda to hit army’s image.”