No going back in Dhungel case: PM

KATHMANDU, NOV 12 - 2011
Ruling out withdrawal of the government’s decision to seek presidential pardon for UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday urged all to not be influenced by “some people who are engaged in fuelling conflict in the country and making dollars out of it.”

The PM was speaking at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday evening upon his arrival from the Maldives where he attended the 17th Saarc Summit.

The government has recommended President Dr Ram Baran Yadav pardon Dhungel who has been convicted of murder by the Supreme Court.

Asked about the controversy surrounding Dhungel and the government’s move to pardon him, the PM urged all to not fuel the issue further.

“I humbly urge all to not escalate this issue further. I appeal to all to not follow some people who are cultivating dollars by fuelling conflict here,” the PM said.

“It is a special time and we should ignore such issues by keeping in mind the special state of affairs,” he said.

He said the decision to seek pardon was taken after a good deal of homework and brainstorming.

“I respect the spirit of multiparty democracy where the opposition can register their differences. But one should know that the move was according to the Comprehensive Peace Accord and the seven-point agreement.”

“We cannot go after each and every case that has to do with the conflict. If so, no one will be spared here,” he said.

Posted on: 2011-11-13 09:05

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