According to Khadka, a group of Maoists led by Maoist cadre Bhakta Bahadur BK attacked him with firewood while he was on his way to a local shop from his home. [break]The Maoists, however, have refuted the allegation.
“I was heading to a shop. Maoist cadres came out of a hotel all of a sudden and started beating. I fell half unconscious,” Khadka told journalists at a press conference organized by the Nepali Congress in the district. Khadka has sustained eye injuries.
Khadka, 46, claimed that the Maoists thrashed him because he is politically active in his village. He has filed a complaint against BK, Lila Neure and Chiran Joshi at the District Police Office.
But Maoist Kailali District in-charge Hari Gyawali claimed Khadka had not returned a ladder belonging to his neighbor even after a year and a discussion called to settle the issue had turned into a scuffle.
The neighbor had lodged a complaint against Khadka at the UCPN-M party in the district. Khadka had reached an agreement with his neighbor to return the ladder at the Maoist party office some six months ago. A meeting of local people and businessmen had been called to discuss the issue after Khadka did not abide by the agreement.
Nepali Congress Kailali and Nepal Students´ Union have condemned the beating and warned of retaliation if the Maoists do not mend their ways.
Superintendent of Police Yogeshwor Romkhami said the police have started an investigation and an order has been issued to arrest the accused.
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