NC called the banda demanding action against people involved in the murder of Kabiram Khatri, 53, president of its Duli VDC committee. The party has been enforcing banda in the district for the past seven days. [break]It has been saying that Khatri was murdered by the cadres of UCPN (Maoist) and they should be brought to book at any cost.
Local NC leaders and relatives of the deceased also staged a sit-in in front of District Administration Office, Rukum, demanding that the deceased be declared a martyr. They have also sought compensation to the victim´s family.
Normal life in the district has been affected by the protest. Vehicles have remained off the roads and markets and industries shut for the past few days.
Six people sustained minor injuries during scuffle between cadres of NC and UCPN (Maoist) while the former were trying to halt public transformation in Khalanga - the district headquarters. Following the incident, police have beefed up security in Khalanga.
Khatri, who had gone missing since December 27, was found dead near the Ramri River in Duli VDC on December 31.
Meanwhile, the bereaved family members and local NC leaders have refused to receive Khatri´s body. The body has been kept at District Hospital, Rukum. According to hospital officials, the body has started to decay and foul smell emanating from the body has started to spread in the hospital premises.
“We will not receive the body and withdraw the protest unless the cadres of UCPN (Maoist) involved in his murder are arrested,” said Man Bahadur Nepali, Rukum District Committee President of NC. “The criminals are walking free as they have received political protection from their party.”
However, UCPN (Maoist) has refuted the accusation, stating that its cadres were involved in Khatri´s murder. Sharun Bhathamagar, Rukum district in-charge of UCPN (Maoist), accused NC of trying to frame UCPN (Maoist) cadres instead of seeking in independent investigation.
Cadres of NC and UCPN (Maoist) had clashed at a local fair on December 16. Following the incident, both the parties had filed separate cases at the District Police Office, demanding action against the other. And NC has been claiming that Khatri was murdered by Maoist cadres involved in the clash.
A three-member probe committee has been formed under the leadership of Dhananda Bhatta, Police Chief of Rapti Zone, to investigate into the incident. But the committee is facing problem in investigation as the murder has been highly politicized.
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