Dhading, January 11:

Three persons of Dhading’s Salang VDC-6 Chuchchetar were arrested on the charge of stripping and beating up 54-year-old Maiya Baskota. They also reportedly tortured Baskota by thrusting nettles into her genitals.

Ram Krishna Pandey of Dhading’s Salang VDC-6, Chuchchetar, his wife Sita, brother Ek Raj Pandey, including some others, who are Maiya’s relatives, tortured her for trying to sell off her land to the Trishuli Hydropower Company.

Pandey, Sita and Ek Raj were sued under the Public Offence Act- 2027 and were imprisoned yesterday, said CDO Drona Pokharel.

Pandey’s family members were outraged over Baskota’s attempt to sell off her land to the company and wanted to cut off the deal for their own benefit. Villagers said they also frequently pressurised Baskota to hand over the land to them.

Baskota, who is a widow, was harassed many times on different pretexts, said a neighbour, Indra Kumari Tripathi.

Various Dhading-based NGOs working for human rights condemned the brutal assault and demanded stern action against the assaulters.