Palpa, March 28:

Demonstrations were organised in several parts of the country today to protest the murder of Prachanda Thaiba, district committee member of Youth Force, Rupandehi, and a member of the Prajatantrik Rastriya Yuba Sangh (PRYS).

Thaiba was gunned down by unidentified persons on Thursday night. Normal life came to a standstill in many parts of the nation due to all-out demonstrations organised by CPN-UML activists and its sister organisations to protest Thaiba’s murder.

Palpa district came to a standstill today due to the bandh called by PRYS and Youth Force activists. The agitators demonstrated in Palpa district headquarters Tansen from as early as 6 in the morning. Life in Gulmi also came to a standstill due to the bandh called to protest the killing. Vehicular movement came to a complete halt in the two districts as demonstrators protested by burning tyres in different parts of the districts.

CPN-UML leaders and activists of Nuwakot also demonstrated in the district demanding strong action against the culprits. Addressing a corner meet, CPN-UML leader Narayan Khatiwoda, among others, demanded the authorities concerned to book the murderers as soon as possible.

The UML has accused YCL of killing Thaiba while Maoists have refuted the charges.

Meanwhile, a rally was organised in Sankhuwasabha district headquarters Khandbari. The rally converged into a corner meet. Addressing the corner meet, Aaira Bahadur Tamang warned of phase wise agitation if Thaiba’s murderers were not brought to book immediately.

Similarly, Kaski UML also staged a demonstration in Pokhara. Addressing a corner meet, UML CA member Rabindra Adhikary warned that his party might walk out of the government if the Unified-CPN Maoist failed to address the increasing violence and impunity in the country. PRYS’ Kaski district chairman Jiban Acharya warned to drag the YCL members out of the camps to expose their misdeeds.

UML cadres also demonstrated in several parts of Rautahat district today. Speaking at a programme organised at Dharakhan Chowk in Gaur, speakers warned to chase the Maoists back to the jungle if they didn’t end their violence.

CPN-UML activists are demanding reasonable compensation to the victim’s family, strong action against the culprits and martyr’s status for Thaiba.