According to Indo-Asian News Service, 37-year-old Mainali, who directed attacks that killed at least five people while praying in mosques and a church after he was aided by at least four Indian organisations.[break]
“I was opposed to the idea of Nepal becoming a secular republic,” he told IANS from the jail where he has been transferred since his arrest from southern Nepal Sep 5. “There are over 50 countries that are Christian and more than 40 that are Islamic. Nepal was the only Hindu country.”
IANS also reported that Mainali and his followers held a meeting int he Birla Temple of New Delhi to form an organization in early 2007. “The meeting was between us and members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal,” the agency quoted him as saying. “They approved and agreed to fund us. The meeting also discussed resorting to violence if our effort failed and endorsed it. Every month, the Indian groups sent us money - between NRS 200,000-500,000 through secret channels.”
After Nepal was declared a secular nation, NDA held rallies in Birgunj for nine days before going underground. NDA used the funds sent from India to buy arms and explosives from the ULFA in Assam in northeastern, Mainali told IANS.
NDA members threw bombs at two mosques in southern Nepal, killing two Muslims during prayer. It also planted a bomb at one of the oldest churches in Kathmandu valley in May, killing three women during mass and triggering worldwide condemnation.
The outcry caused the Nepal government to start a manhunt as never before and both Mainali and his accomplice, the woman who planted the bomb inside the Assumption Church, were arrested.
Mainali told IANS that once released he would switch to political activities adjuring violence. “During my imprisonment, not a single Hindu came to meet me,” he bitterly told IANS. “Then who was I fighting for?”
“I regret the deaths,” he reportedly said. “We lacked planning. The intention was to attack the leaders who had abolished Hinduism as the state religion in Nepal, not ordinary people.”
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