Markets in Dang´s main areas Gohrahi, Tulsipur and Lamahi were shut at the call of Tulsipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dang Chamber of Commerce and Industry. [break]
Deukhuri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, after holding an emergency meeting, also decided to close Lamahi bazaar after noon to protest the killing. The meeting chaired by DCCI President Lila Ram Khanal also demanded action against the guilty.
Dhital was gunned down by an unidentified gang at 8 pm at Urahari VDC-4 last evening while he was going to Tulsipur bazaar. He died on the spot. It is still unknown who killed him and why. Police are searching for the perpetrators.
Human Rights and Peace Society monitored the incident site today. It is still too early to say who killed him, said Samaj´s vice-chairman Tej Bahadur Karki. The Federation of Nepali Journalists is also scheduled to conduct a probe into the incident.
Meanwhile, all Dang-based FM radio stations aired dirge for five minutes to protest the incident.
Meanwhile, various parties and organizations have condemned the murder Friday. The CPN-UML has said the party is deeply shocked by the murder of Dhital.
Issuing a press release, the UML called on the government to immediately arrest the killers and take action against them. The ruling party also told the government to guarantee security for mediapersons.
Similarly, the CPN (Samyukta) has also expressed serious sorrow over Dhital´s murder. Flaying the killing, the party, in a press release, has demanded arrest of the guilty and compensation for the victim´s family.
Condemning the murder, Human Rights Foundation said, "The killing of Dhital, who was an advocate of democracy, human rights and press freedom, is an irreparable loss to the country".
"We demand stringent possible action against the guilty," read a press release issued by the foundation.
Similarly, Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel issued a press release condemning the ‘cowardly’ killing of Dhital. He condoled Dhital’s death and extended sympathy to the bereaved family.
Pokharel said the government has initiated process to book the criminals involved in the killing.
Also today, the Home Ministry issued a press release expressing commitment to nab the killers. The ministry said security teams have been mobilized not to let the criminals flee. It said an additional special police team has also been deployed from the police headquarters to facilitate the probe and search for the criminals.
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