Probe panel chief refuses to name the guilty

Kathmandu, January 16:

A three-member commission formed to probe riots in Kapilvastu, Butwal and Dang, submitted its report to Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula today, recommending the latter to take stern action against those involved. The rioting had occurred in August.

The commission headed by Appellate Court Judge Lokendra Mallik recommended the government to prosecute those indicted by the commission for the killing of 14 people and causing loss of property worth Rs 230 million during the riots.

The commission concluded that anti-social elements, who wanted to upset

social harmony, were behind the rioting.

Mallik, however, said it was not the result of a plot to trigger clashes between Hindus and Muslims or between Pahade and Madhesi people. It was the doing of criminal groups, who did not want to see social harmony, he said.

“We submitted our report to Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula,” Judge Mallik told this daily. “Receiving our report, he said the government will implement it and bring the culprits to book.”

Riots gripped the Kapilvastu Bazaar, Krishna Nagar and Chandrauta of Kapilvastu district following the murder of local leader Abdul Mohit Khan.

The riots also gripped Butwal of Rupandehi district and Dang district.

According to Mallik, 1,163 houses and huts were gutted and 230 trucks and vehicles were burnt during the rioting between August 16 and 21.

Following the unrest, the government had formed the commission headed by Mallik. Government joint attorney Pushpa Raj Koirala and deputy inspector General of Nepal Police Niraj Pun were appointed commission members. The government had asked the commission to probe the riots in Kapilvastu, Dang and Butwal.

“We have recommended the government to punish 200 culprits for their involvement in murders, destruction and looting,” Mallik said. Though he declined to disclose the names of those indicted, he added the riots ensued due to “nexus between local and foreign criminal groups”. “Naming the culprits will have a negative impact. We have clearly recommended action against them,” he said. Based on the report, the government can investigate and prosecute the criminals, Mallik said.

The commission also recommended the government to regulate the border to prevent such incidents, immediately compensate families of the victims. It also recommended the government to look after educational, health and employment needs of the families of those killed during the riots.