KATHMANDU, Nov 16: Physical attacks on election candidates are occurring at an unusual frequency mainly in the eastern, mid-western and far-western regions, exposing serious lapses in poll security.
At least three high-profile poll candidates have been the target of bomb attacks in the last two weeks. Several other lesser-known candidates have come under similar attacks while campaigning for the parliamentary and provincial assembly elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.
The lapses in poll security were laid bare after Janardan Sharma, a minister without portfolio in the current cabinet, came under a bomb attack while campaigning in a remote village in Rukum on November 10.
Security agencies were quick to dismiss this as an isolated incident. But it was not.
The very next day, another CPN (Maoist Center) leader, Barshaman Pun, was ambushed during his election campaign in Rolpa. An armed group opened fire at Pun and his aides at Bagmara of Duikholi Rural Municipality on November 12.
Attacks on poll candidates continue unabated
Like Pun and Sharma, UML leader and former information minister Sher Dhan Rai became the latest high-profile target of forces opposed to polls, on November 14. Rai, a UML candidate for a provincial assembly seat, was attacked with explosives and fired on while campaigning at Temke Maiyung Rural Municipality-8 in Bhojpur.
Though no one has owned up responsibility for the attacks, police suspect that an offshoot group of former Maoist rebels led by Netra Bikram Chand could be behind all three attacks as they fit a familiar pattern. The Chand led-CPN Maoist has announced it is not taking part in the elections. The party had resorted to similar attacks in the first and second constituent assembly elections and the local elections.
Though security agencies are expecting similar challenges to poll security from underground outfits in the Terai districts, very few incidents of violence have been reported there so far.
With the increase in number of attacks on their candidates, the parties are calling on the government to do more to ensure poll security.
UML and Maoist Center have accused Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of only providing security to candidates of the NC-led alliance while ignoring the security concerns of opposition party leaders.
"It's surprising that only the candidates of UML and Maoist Center are becoming the target of attacks. The government should provide poll security to candidates irrespective of party," said Maoist Center spokesperson Pampha Bhusal.
Narayan Prasad Sharma, spokesman of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that the ministry is directly responsible for poll security and dismissed claims that the security agencies were ignoring the safety of leaders from the left camp.
He said the ministry has heightened security arrangements against the backdrop of repeated attacks.
Prime Minister Deuba on Wednesday held a meeting with high-level officials of security agencies in Dhangadhi. During the meeting, Deuba took stock of the security situation and directed the officials to do everything to hold the polls in a free and fair environment.
Officials said that the security forces have increased their vigilance at attack-prone events like public rallies, poll campaigns and mass gatherings.
"For example, more than 500 police and dozens of informers were mobilized during an election rally addressed by KP Sharma Oli and Maoist Chairman Prachanda at Palungtar of Gorkha," said a police official. Police have also been using metal detectors and sniffer dogs at venues susceptible to violence.
