Morang district vice-chairman of the UML´s Youth Association Nepal (YAN) Basnet has been absconding since June 5 when two UML cadres -- Rohit Koirala and Manoj Rai -- had mercilessly attacked Dhakal on June 5. [break]
Morang district chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has lodged a complaint against Parshuram for masterminding the attack. The FNJ´s Media Mission mandated to investigate into the attack has concluded that Koirala and Rai attacked Dhakal as per Basnet´s instruction.
“It is the duty of every citizen to appear before the authorities and provide information when the state agencies so demand,” said the statement issued by the party´s central department of publicity on Friday. “We therefore instruct those who have been accused of involvement in the incident to cooperate with the investigation and prove innocence if not guilty.”
Pradip Gyawali, chief of the UML´s publicity department, claimed the party has not provided protection to the accused. He claimed UML cadres had cooperated with the government to arrest Rai.
When asked if the UML cooperate with the authorities in arresting Basnet, Gyawali said they can´t do so as he has not yet been proved guilty. “Our party´s internal investigation found Koirala and Rai guilty but we haven´t found Basnet´s involvement in the attack,” said Gyawali.
The party spokesperson said the party has already asked Mahesh Basnet, YAN chairman, to assist police to arrest Parshuram if the latter is in contact with him. Claiming that Parshuram is under his protection, Mahesh in public has challenged the government to arrest Parshuram.
According to Gyawali, the party at the central level and its Morang chapter was carrying out investigation into the matter. He said the party would take action against the cadres as per the nature of their involvement in the attack if they found guilty. He claimed Parshuram is not in contact with the party.
The UML also demanded that the government form an independent commission to probe into the incident. Gyawali urged all not to unnecessarily drag the party into controversy and not to politicize the issue.
Meanwhile, human rights NGO, Insec, has urged the government to bring all the guilty to book.
Oli accuses govt of hiding Basnet
CPN-UML leader KP Oli has accused the government of hiding Parshuram Basnet, an accused wanted by the police in connection with the attack on Republica´s Biratnagar-based correspondent Khilanath Dhakal.
“The government itself is hiding Basnet and trying to accuse others for the same,” Oli said in an interview with Himalayan TV from Sri Lanka where he is undergoing a treatment.
Oli also accused Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) of running after the rumor about Parshuram Basnet´s hand in the attack on Dhakal. “FNJ should not get carried away by rumors,” Oli said, adding “Any allegation should be based on facts.”
He also accused the media of trying to give political color to the incident and urged journalists to act responsibly. “Journalists do not have the freedom to do whatever they like,” he said.
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