Chitwan, November 26

CPN-MC Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal today agreed that the incident at Bandarmudhe in Chitwan was the greatest blunder of the entire insurgency period in the country.

Responding to locals of Bandarmudhe in brief after offering tributes to the newly built martyr memorial, Dahal said that he had the greatest reverence to the people of Bandarmudhe. He expressed commitment to do something to heal the wounds of the families of victims of the incident in the long term.

As many as 38 persons were killed while a total of 72 other sustained injuries when an electric ambush exploded at a bus during the emergency period 12 years ago at Bandarmudhe.

This was the ever first time that Dahal had reached the spot after the incident took place.

Dahal also addressed a function organised in the remote area of Madi Bandarjhula. He spoke to the squatters there.

More than 600 households have encroached more than 800 bigaha land belonging to Chitwan National Park. Though attempts were made to remove them from the area several times, they had failed to evict them.

Speaking to squatters, Dahal said they should not be transferred to any other place until each family is guaranteed job opportunity. He claimed that he had directed the national park authority not to remove them from there during his premiership. “Each family should be provided at least five kattha land. They also should be guaranteed with education, health and job opportunity.