It is learned that a group of Maoists who, security sources say, also included some guards at the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) that were appointed by the erstwhile Maoist management entered the premises and battered the priests.
Eye-witnesses say the group entered the block where the priests were staying, brought them down from an upper storey and out to the west gate. They kept beating up the two priests all the way to the gate.
The manhandling incident at the holiest temple of the Hindus comes against the background of the dispute between the Maoists and the government over the issue of appointment of Indian priests. "We are determined to go through with the appointment of the Indian priests at any cost," said Treasurer at PADT Narottam Baidya, "The priests will start working from Saturday".
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police has called inspector Santosh Tamang to Kathmandu Range Office, Hanumandhoka for his failure to handle the situation.
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