Police officials suspect that the group, which was responsible for the Babarmahal blast last year, is plotting ´a series of bomb blasts´ in the capital to disrupt the upcoming election.
A squad from the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD), Hanumandhoka, under the leadership of Inspector Kiran Neupane, nabbed the five, acting on a special tip-off following month-long investigations. [break]
According to SSP Bijay Lal Kayastha, chief of MPCD, they were arrested with explosives following information related to an extortion drive in Kathmandu Valley carried out by the Front, which is an underground group.
The arrested are identified as Birendra Kumar Tamang, aka Kranti, 52, of Udayapur distirct, San Bahadur Pariyar aka Aagni, 33, of Udayapur, Nima Sherpa aka Mangale, 42, of Ramechhap, Santosh Majhi, 31, of Bara and Bhani Nath, 25, of Kanchanpur.
According to preliminary investigation, Tamang has been identified as former organization head of the Front and Pariyar as central committee member and youth wing head. Similarly, Sherpa, who has also been operating a monthly newspaper- ´Samyukta Aawaj Monthly´ since the last three months, has been identified as central committee member and press and publication department chief.
Police also said that Santosh Majhi had only recently joined the Front as a central committee member and Bhani Nath has been identified as ´a disqualified Maoist combatant´ associated with the CPN-Maoist, who was in the process of formally joining the Front.
According to MPCD, they were planning to carry out serial blasts at different places in the capital and launch a forced donation drive, targeting businessmen and industrialists.
SSP Kayastha said, “We have established that they had planned to set off a blast at Samalik Carpet Industry at Aarubari in Kathmandu as the carpet outfit turned down a demand for a ´donation´ of Rs 500,000.” We have also seized several receipt pads and request letters pertaining to different industrial outfits and businessmen, he added.
Police said the five, under mastermind Tamang, were planning blasts in the capital as the government refused to hold talks with the group, labeling it as “criminal”.
Police also said that Tamag was remanded on bail after being charged in two cases of extortion.
The group had made several attempts at dialogue but the home ministry turned down their offer of talks, according to the accused. The home ministry had been refusing to hold talks with such groups as many of them are carrying out criminal activities in the guise of a political group.
The group was established in 2009 under the leadership of Muktidaata and Dev Raj Tamang aka Biswokranti separated from the group after a year. Biswokranti had taken responsibility for a series of blasts since then.
The group was also linked with a blast at a Dhading-based crusher mill and roadside bombings in the districts of Dhading, Udaypur and Rautahat. The blast attempts at the Nepal Academy and the RPP-Nepal office, Naxal, were not successful, according to police.
Police have seized electric detonators, explosives, pipes, sockets, letter pads and sets from them.
Related story
India’s restriction on supply of explosives halts over four doz...
_20220508065243.jpg)
