KATHMANDU, MAR 17 -
Occupy Baluwatar campaigners on Saturday objected to the threats issued by the UCPN-Maoist party through its sister organisations.
On Friday, the party issued a joint statement signed by Devendra Paudel and Lila Bahadur Thapa, coordinators of the party’s Newa and Kirat State Committees, respectively, warning of ‘stern action’ against rights activists and Occupy Baluwatar campaigners unless the ongoing protests against the party’s former lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel were halted.
The campaigners have been demanding the arrest of Dhungel, who was convicted of murder of one Ujjan Kumar Shrestha by the Okhaldhunga district court in 2004, which the appellate court repealed. He won the Constituent Assembly election in 2008 from Okhaldhunga. Later, the Supreme Court upheld the district court verdict in 2010. However, the verdict was never implemented.
In a statement on Saturday, the campaigners said it was an act of infringement on the citizens’ right to voice the truth.
“The campaign is not directed at a particular political party. It is a peaceful citizen movement against gender-based violence, culture of impunity and the malpractices of political protection to the perpetrators,” read the statement.
The campaigners have urged UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to justify reasons behind issuing such threats of
stern action against the protesters. “This is sheer irresponsibility displayed by the country’s biggest party,” it said. “The threat is not a coincidence, as it comes two days after [Baburam] Bhattarai’s exit as the prime minister.”
The campaign, which is on its 80th day, has been raising issues related to the violation of women rights and justice for victims.
“Our demands should be addressed or else we will continue the campaign,” said Pranika Koyu, one of the campaigners.
The campaigners have also planned to put forth their demands to Khil Raj Regmi, the newly appointed chairman of the election government, on March 20.
Posted on: 2013-03-17 08:47
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