Pankaj Kattel, a former CPN (UML) cadre, was nearly killed by Basnet´s gang three and a half years ago at the UML´s Morang office. He was stabbed and left with multiple wounds. "They literally tried to kill me," Kattle said. "But Basnet was indicted on a public offence charge only. Police had initially refused to even register my complaint against him." [break]
Participating in the rally were also Ajam Parbez and Achut Humagain. Last year, Basnet´s group had greviouslly attacked Parbez and Humagain. But both Parvez and Humagain were barred from filing a case.
"Basnet was always protected by political parties and the authorities in the past," said Kattel, adding, "In my case, the whole party was divided over taking action against him." Kattel was then district committee member of the UML.
Kattel says that this time round he is hopeful Basnet will not escape justice.
Basnet rose to prominence in the criminal world after attacking a Maoist cadre called Nabin and a leader of the Nepal Students Union, Jayaram Sundas, some five years ago. In both cases he escaped arrested. Since then he has been associated with at least half a dozen instances of crime. He once reportedly flaunted a pistol at a party committee meeting a few years ago.
"Every time he eluded the law, he further intensified his terror," said Parul Chhetri, a CPN (UML) district committee member. "Our party has failed to check him. Very recently the UML took action against a lawmaker in a bribery case. Why does it not do the same in the case of somebody who has committed a host of crimes?" he asked.
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