While CPN-Maoist cadres attacked a poll candidate in Taplejung, the party, which leads an alliance of agitating 33 parties, vandalized a vehicle used in the election campaign by CPN-UML candidate in Dang, Shankar Pokharel. [break]
Also, the agitating party allegedly planted socket bombs in various places, including at the venue of a function in Siraha on Friday to be addressed by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
A meeting of the party´s office bearers held in Lamahi, Dang in the second week of October had decided to adopt a gentle boycott strategy against the poll. The meeting also decided to urge voters to boycott the election, but not to disrupt it.
At least three persons, including UCPN (Maoist) candidate from Taplejung constituency number 1, Sanchapal Maden, were injured when CPN-Maoist cadres attacked the UCPN (Maoist) campaign team in Mehele village of Taplejung district, Thursday night.
Those injured in the attack, which was led by CPN-Maoist district in-charge Suman, include UCPN (Maoist) district publicity coordinator Kaji Bhattarai and YCL district chairman Tara Bhattarai. Injured poll candidate Maden has been brought to the district hospital for treatment while the other two have continued with the election campaign, according to UCPN (Maoist) district coordinator Parag.
The agitating Maoist cadres numbering about 30 had attacked UCPN (Maoist) cadres at about 3:30 a.m. while the latter were asleep. The agitating cadres also vandalized the house they were sleeping in after taking under their control the security personnel deputed for Maden´s security.
The UCPN (Maoist) has alleged that the agitating CPN-Maoist cadres looted Rs 300,000 and other belongings. Issuing a statement, the UCPN (Maoist) Taplejung district chapter said the agitating Maoist cadres took away 15 mobile phones, 15 bags and clothes. The party has demanded action against those involved in the attack and submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officer Prakash Poudel.
CDO Poudel said additional teams of the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Police and Nepal Army personnel have been sent to the venue following the incident.
Separately, the agitating CPN-Maoist called a banda in Siraha on Friday to coincide with a scheduled address by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal at a function organized by his party´s village committee in Muksar-3. However, the banda call had no apparent effect, according to Siraha District Administration Office.
Though it is still unclear who planted the bombs, three socket bombs were found at the venue where UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal was to address a function, and at the party´s village committee office.
Two socket bombs were found outside Muksar Village Committee office and another in the premises of Saraswati Secondary School, Jamdaha. A bomb disposal team from Shree Nath Battalion based at Choharba defused all three bombs at noon. Many locals had abstained from the the function, fearing possible untoward incidents.
Separately, in Dang, agitating CPN-Maoist cadres vandalized a vehicle being used for electioneering by CPN-UML candidate Shankar Pokharel, who is contesting from constituency number 4. Maoist cadres vandalized the jeep (Ra 1 Ja 276) in Tulasipur Bazar while Pokharel was attending a campaign function.
According to chief of Area Police Office Tulasipur, DSP Tulbahadur Karki, a group of CPN-Maoist cadres, who arrived there raising slogans against the poll, vandalized the jeep parked near the function venue. Police have arrested three persons and seized a motorcycle used by them.
CPN-Maoist activities will finish the party: Dr Bhattarai
UCPN (Maoist) leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has warned that the type of activities the Baidya group is involved in will eventually finish the CPN-Maoist.
Addressing an interaction with businessmen and industrialists in Butwal on Friday, Dr Bhattarai said that such activities will create grounds for a counter-revolution in the country, thereby making it difficult to institutionalize the ´historic achievements´ of the decade-long Maoist insurgency and Janaandolan II.
Dr Bhattarai said that despite some cases of violence on the part of the CPN-Maoist, the fresh CA poll will be held on the stipulated date of November 19. “A situation of conflict exists everywhere. Since the CA election is being held after the sacrifice of thousands of people, it will take place at all cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, issuing a press statement, UCPN (Maoist) Spokesperson Agni Sapkota has denounced the attack and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He has urged party cadres to retaliate against those who come to attack them.
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