Thousands protest delay in nabbing Basnet

BIRATNAGAR, June 14: Sister organizations of political parties held street marches in Biratnagar Tuesday protesting the delay in arresting Youth Force (YF) Morang Chairman Parshuram Basnet, the mastermind behind attacks on Republica correspondent Khilanath Dhakal on June 5, and on Abhishek Giri on court premises on June 1.

Local representatives of political parties have warned of a "movement" against leaders for protecting Basnet, who is accused for attempted murder. [break]

Demanding action against the assailants, and declaration of Biratnagar as hooligan-free zone, sister organizations of 13 political parties organized the march in which thousands participated.

The march started from Sansari Maisthan and went through main parts of the city and concluded with a 90-minute sit in at District Administration Office (DAO).

Protestors also demanded resignation of Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara for his inability to arrest Basnet even 10 days after the attack on Dhakal.

"If the government and administration are scared to arrest the criminal, give us the responsibility. Residents of Biratnagar have the guts to settle the matter within 24 hours," said Shiva Kumar Mandal, Morang in-charge of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). "The criminals´ days are numbered. They will be rooted out," he added.

In the march held to support the movement led by Federation of Nepali Journalists, local political leaders claimed that the government as well as the CPN-UML is protecting the leader of the assailants.

"The youth have united against party leaders who maintain and protect hoodlums," said Kedar Karki, central member of Nepal Students´ Union. "People have lost faith in leaders who protect criminals fearing the loss of monthly income," he added.

Dik Bahadur Limbu, Nepali Congress Mahasamiti member, said goons supported by the government are posing a challenge to the rule of law.

Mrityunjaya Jha, central member of Madheshi People´s Rights Forum Nepal, warned that the very existence of a party that protects criminals involved in serial crime could be in jeopardy.

Young Communist League Morang in-charge Arjun Rishidev said police and administration have promoted hooliganism by protecting a criminal.

The sister organizations of the 13 political parties also demanded that Youth Association President Mahesh Basnet be arrested as well for making a statement that the accused is with him.

Meanwhile, YF men who reached Biratnagar airport to welcome a YF team formed to probe the attack on Dhakal chanted slogans against journalists. "Withdraw the case against Parshuram Basnet," the men who reached the airport in four taxis and 50 motorbikes chanted.