- Maoists vandalize pharmacy too
- Disillusioned Dudejhari squatters return home
- Maoists could have averted squatter clash
- Five die as cops, squatters clash; Police confirm three deaths
Addressing a press conference at the ministry, Rawal said, “I praise the police for exercising maximum restraint despite provocation and attack by Maoist-led group in Dudejhari.” [break]
Five people, including a policeman, were killed in clashes, which ensued after the Maoist-led squatters resisted the eviction drive launched by the police along the Lamki-Chisapani stretch of the East West Highway. At least two of the four people killed in the police firing are believed to be Maoist activists. Dozens of others sustained injuries in the incident.
The Maoists have termed the crackdown “suppression reminiscent of the Panchayat-era” and have demanded resignation of the home minister and punishment for the policemen who opened fire.
Minister Rawal said the Maoist should take responsibility for the incident as the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Squatters Association (ANSA) had incited people from various districts including Kailali, Surkhet, Banke, Bardiya, Doti, Achham and Dadeldhura to retaliate police action. Earlier, ANSA had promised the squatters land in the forest.
“There is no point in demanding my resignation since I am working in accordance with the law to protect national properties,” Rawal said, adding, “The people, who incited innocent people to grab national properties, should resign from their positions instead.”
Rawal alleged that the Maoists had called for nationwide strike to hide the real facts behind the incident. “Police had warned forest encroachers several times to vacate the seized land but to no avail,” Rawal said further, adding that local level Maoist leaders had agreed to vacate the land during an all-party meet earlier. The forest is near the Bardiya National Park.
Rawal claimed that the District Forest Office had issued a notice on November 27 to vacate the forest. The notice was also aired through local FM radio stations. The police had to use force as the agitating squatters attacked the former with stones, bricks and spears and home-made weapons. “The police used force in self-defense,” he said.
Rawal also accused the Maoists of violating the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and other agreements reached in the past. He added that the party instead of returning the property seized during the insurgency was still seizing more public and private properties.
Moreover, the Maoists along with other political parties in the Constituent Assembly have agreed to maintain 40 percent forest cover in the country. Minister Rawal revealed that the encroachers also looted a Chinese pistol, 14 bullets, two magazines, a shotgun and a communication set and life jacket from the police during the clash.
The Maoist-affiliated ANSA, which has been spearheading the land grab drive and “distributing” it to the landless also looted 12 new motorcycles and torched five trucks in the area.
Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Dipak Bohora, Minister for Culture and Federal Affairs Minendra Rijal, Minister for Irrigation Bal Krishna Khand, and Minister for Land Reform and Management Dambar Shrestha, Home Secretary Dr Gobinda Kusum and chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department were present in the press conference.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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