Ex-combatant serving term at Dillibazaar prison dies

Published On: September 5, 2016 12:10 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Former Maoist combatant Sanjaya Jargha Magar, 25, originally from Bhainse of Malwanpur district, died early Sunday morning at Dillibazaar prison, where he had been serving a jail term for engaging in fraud, petrol pump meter tampering and black-marketing of petroleum products.  

Magar, the secretary of UNMIN Disqualified People's Liberation Army Nepal, was sent to Dillibazaar prison only 24 days ago.

According to Dillibazaar prisoner Bishnu Karki, he was pronounced dead soon after he was taken to Bir Hospital.

Prisoner Karki said that Magar, who was sleeping in his cell along with four other inmates, had woken up around 1:00 AM to use the toilet. But around 2:00 AM the other inmate informed the guards that he was having difficulty in breathing.

Although he was immediately rushed to hospital, he could not be saved, Karki said. "We suspect he died of heart attack but the actual cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem."

However, the kin of the deceased and former combatants have termed the death "mysterious" and blamed the prison authority of negligence.

Magar wouldn't have died had the prison administration immediately rushed him to hospital, Lenin Bista, president of Disqualified People's Liberation Army Nepal, said.

During Metropolitan Police Crime Division operation, Magar was arrested along with the operator of Pravin Oil Store in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, about a month ago for his involvement in meter tempering and other kinds of fraudulent activities.

Metropolitan Police Range Office, Bhaktapur, also said that there was dispute among the operators and the staff after the petrol pump was dragged into controversy.

Magar's body was sent to TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj for autopsy on Sunday. Some Maoist leaders had reached the hospital to console the family. The family members have demanded proper investigation into the case.


Leave A Comment