Biplav outfit is a terrorist group: Banskota

Published On: July 5, 2019 06:30 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, July 5: Government spokesperson Gokul Baskota has termed the Netra Bickram Chand (Biplab)-led Communist Party Nepal (CPN) a terrorist group and claimed that it has chosen a path of self-destruction.

The government has placed restrictions on the activities of the underground party ahead of the investment summit in the capital. This follows a series of bomb blasts inside and outside Kathmandu Valley targeting infrastructure projects.

Speaking during a regular press briefing on Thursday, Baskota accused the group of choosing the path of self-destruction in the name of revolution. “The government called the group in for talks but it didn't show any interest in dialogue and instead continued with its acts of violence,” said Baskota in an aggressive mode. “The group is a terrorist organization and it has been engaged in organized crime.”

Police arrested a cadre of the Chand-led party on Thursday after party cadres exchanged fire with police on patrol in Sankhuwasabha district earlier this week. Alleging that the group was running away from talks and indulging in extortions, Baskota, who is also minister for communication and information technology, labeled the outfit a 'gang of looters'.

He also said the government will direct its efforts at controlling and containing the activities of the Chand group if it doesn't show up for talks. Last month two district-level leaders of the group were killed by police in different incidents. Although the police claimed that these were encounters, human rights activists and the relatives of the dead have claimed that both killings happened after both were already in police custody.

During the press briefing, Baskota also vented his ire against the International Relations Committee of parliament for the latter's directive to the government not to organize the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA). “I am surprised to see the decision and the language used in it because the government had never intended to pay the costs,” said the minister, accusing the committee of being swayed by rumors.


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