A day after the Supreme Court ordered the government to force feed the ailing Adhikari couple to save their lives, a government team had reached Bir Hospital on Wednesday to urge the Adhikari couple to end the huger strike. [break]
The Adhikari couple outright rejected the government´s request. “Please don´t disturb us by visiting us frequently. We will end the protest only after the murderers are brought to the book,” Nanda Prasad said.
The government team led by Krishna Hari Baskota, secretary at the Prime Minister´s Office, had tried to assure the couple that their demand would be duly fulfilled even if they end their strike.
Baskota had also briefed the couple about the progress being made on the investigation into the murder of their son Krishna Prasad Adhikari.
Earlier, the apex court had also asked the government to make public a white paper regarding the progress on the investigation into the murder case. “As per the verdict, we also read out a 21-point press statement issued by the government and assured them that the government is determined to provide justice to them,” said Baskota.
He had also inquired the health condition of the Adhikari couple with Bulanda Thapa, the hospital director.
Having failed to convince the couple to end their hunger strike, Baskota also urged civil right activists to help persuade the couple as their health condition has been constantly deteriorating.
However, he did not explain what will be the next move of the government as the Supreme Court had directed to force feed them to save their live.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating health condition of the couple, advocate Ram Raj Shiwakoti had moved the apex court on Sunday to safeguard their lives.
After their health condition worsened, the couple were shifted to the intensive care unit two weeks ago.
Krishna Adhikari was allegedly killed by the then Maoist rebels in 2004 on the charge of spying on their activities.
Shortly after the murder, Adhikari´s father, Nanda Prasad had registered a complaint to the police, demanding an investigation. As the complaint went unheard, Adhikari´s brother Nur Prasad registered another complaint, categorically naming the alleged murders and providing their details on 12 June, 2006.
However, the case was closed after the Attorney General´s Office on December 18, 2012 wrote to the Chitwan police not to proceed with the investigation, stating a Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be constituted to look after the cases pertaining to human rights violation during the Maoist insurgency.
Related story
People's representative on hunger strike demanding electricity
