CPN-Maoist tars face of Churebhawar Loktantrik party chief

KATHMANDU, July 26: Alleging that the government authorities were ignoring public complaints, the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist has begun taking arbitrary action against what they describe as ´land mafia´, the corrupt, smugglers, robbers, black marketeers and others involved in unscrupulous activities, as a symbolic protest.



On Friday morning, cadres of the Maoist youth wing smeared black on the face of Bhumi Niraula, chairman of Churebhawar Loktantrik Party, near Tinkune, Kathmandu. The youth wing said that they were compelled to do so after police failed to respond to complaints against him. [break]



Janmadev Jaishi, a Maoist workers union cadre, said, “We took action against Niraula as he was involved in several frauds related to land and employment and he had political cover.” He said, “We observed him for about 17 days and then accused him of wrong doings.”



SSP Subodh Ghimire, chief of Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, said that it was not for a political party to judge if someone is guilty or not and take action against that person. “It is against the rule of law; we will investigate and take action against whoever is guilty,” he said.



The Maoist youth wing said that it has received several complaints from various parts of the country against various people and announced action against them.

“We have not violated the rule of law but have attempted to provide justice to victimized people," Jaishi claimed, adding that they would continue to do so nationwide.

But Niraula said, “I am innocent; I was publicly humiliated and physically abused."



“I raised a question about former IGP Sanat Kumar Basnet with the support of Dipak Chalaune, a Maoist leader, seizing government property worth millions under a fake name, and I am now being targeted and punished,” he claimed.



They threatened him several times and made frequent attempts to adbuct him to compel him to withdraw the case, he said.

But according to the Maoists, Niraula collected over Rs 25 million from six different people and was absconding since then. "If I am guilty of any charge, let us begin fair investigations against people who are involved in land-seizure cases,” he said.



The Baidya Maoists´ action has reminded people of the activities of the then underground Maoists during the insurgency period.



Chure Bhawar Loktantrik Party is registered with the Election Commission for the November elections and it has been assigned football as election symbol.

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