Khatri´s body was kept at District Hospital Rukum after NC cadres refused to accept it, saying he was murdered by UCPN (Maoist) cadres and they should be brought to book at any cost. [break]
The body had started to decay and the smell bothered patients and health workers at the hospital, according to hospital officials.
According to Khadka Bahadur Dangi, NC leader in Rukum District, the district unit of the party accepted the body after the party central committee assured that it would pressure the authorities to take necessary action against those involved in the mysterious death and provide compensation to the bereaved.
The body was cremated on the banks of the Duli river, Wednesday.
Khatri, who had gone missing since December 27, was found dead near the Ramri river in Duli VDC on December 31.
NC has been protesting Khatri´s death since nine days, making normal life in Rukum difficult.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, chief of the police in Rukum, said even though the family of the deceased and NC members have been accusing UCPN (Maoist) cadres of killing Khatri, they are yet to lodge any complaint with the police. “But it has been learnt that family members will file a case after the cremation of the body,” he added.
However, the UCPN (Maoist) cadres have been rejecting the accusation made by NC members. Sharun Bhathamagar, UCPN (Maoist) Rukum district in-charge, accused the NC of trying to frame the Maoist cadres instead of seeking an independent investigation.
Cadres of the NC and UCPN (Maoist) had clashed at a local fair on December 16. Following the incident, both parties filed separate complaints at the district police office, demanding action against the other. 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 the incident. But the committee is facing problems with the investigation as the incident has become highly politicized.
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