With their health in a very critical condition, the couple is in the intensive care unit of Bir Hospital since a week. They have been on fast-unto-death for over a month demanding action against those involved in the murder of their son Krishna Prasad Adhikari. He had died at the hands of Maoists during the insurgency.[break]
“The government has officially informed us that an investigation has been initiated. In such a condition, we strongly appeal Adhikari couple to call off their hunger strike,” said Gauri Pradhan, commissioner and spokesperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Responding to the mounting pressure from all quarters, the government had directed Chitwan Police to reopen the case three days ago. Krishna Prasad was killed at Ratnanagar of Chitwan on charge of spying against Maoists, then a rebel force fighting the government.
“They have refused to eat anything until action is taken against those involved in the murder. However, we would like to assure the couple that they should wait and see for now as the government has ordered investigation into the matter. As their health is already in a very critical condition, it would not be wise to be stubborn. They need to be alive to fight for justice,” said Pradhan.
Similarly, human rights activist Dinesh Tripathi said that the couple should first take care of their health as "nothing would make any sense if there is no life." We would like to seriously request them to give up their hunger strike. But at the same time, we would like the government to act more seriously or credibly so that the couple see a reason to end their strike,” Tripathi added.
He stressed that the home minister and other important government representatives should visit the hospital to assure them of the seriousness. “Delaying to do so might result in loss of their life,” he warned.
On Wednesday, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal had also reached Bir Hospital to urge the couple to end their hunger strike. However, the duo reiterated that they would not consider the option until and unless justice is delivered. The leaders had assured them of "special initiatives to speed up the investigation" in the case.
The government had recently urged human rights activists, journalists and other stakeholders to facilitate to resolve the problem. UCPN (Maoist), on the other hand, had termed the reinvestigation into the matter as "an act that could derail the entire peace process ahead of the elections."
The party had also urged the government to speed up the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and resolve similar issues accordingly.
Meanwhile, Republica correspondent from Chiwan district Ramesh Kumar Poudel reports that the investigation in Chitwan is going on under the leadership of DSP Sanjay Rawat. Superintendent of Police Pradhumna Karki said, “We are trying to gather evidences to establish the crime. For this, we are seriously investigating both in Chitwan and Gorkha.”
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