NC issues 24-hour-ultimatum over cadre’s death

RAUTAHAT: Nepali Congress, Sarlahi today issued a 24-hour ultimatum to local administration to book the guilty in killing of 60-year-old Ram Bilas Mahato who was shot in a clash between NC and NCP (NCP) cadres in Ramnagar rural municipality on Tuesday.

The party has also warned to not claim the deceased body of Mahato unless the person behind the killing is arrested.

Although 30 hours have passed since the incident, police have not been able to arrest the guilty. Moreover, the state has not taken the murder or injuries sustained by seven other NC cadres seriously, NC cadres said while warning of a stern protest if their demands are not met.

Mahato the uncle of Ward Chair Ram Naresh Mahato was shot dead in the clash at 8:30am on Tuesday.

NCP cadres had attacked ward Chair Ram Naresh Mahato last evening for allocating budget to development works unilaterally. An eyewitness said ward Chair Mahato’s uncle Ram Bilash was killed when shots were fired from the house of Shree Narayan Yadav after the clash erupted.

In the wake of the incident, NC leaders Bimalendra Nidhi, Party spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma, Anand Dhungana, Mahendra Yadav and Lawmaker Amresh Singh of province 2 including others met Chief District Officer Drona Pokhrel today and filed a four-point memorandum.

According to Lawmaker Singh, the party has demanded Mahato to be declared a martyr, intimidate arrest of the guilty, relief to victim’s kin and free treatment of those injured.

A stern protest is on the cards if the government fails to address the demands, Singh said.

Meanwhile, CDO Pokhrel clarified that the police are investigating the incident site and a man hunt is underway.

According to Pokhrel, a meeting of security agencies has been called to discuss issues in line with NC’s memorandum.

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