SARLAHI, Nov 3: Accusing the government of turning 'blind and deaf' toward the violent attacks against its cadres and murder of one, the Nepali Congress (NC), Sarlahi has announced a series of protests against the government starting Sunday. The party has demanded relief for the victims and legal action against the perpetrators.

Four days ago, Rambilas Mahato, an NC worker, was shot dead in a clash with the cadres of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) while several NC cadres were injured with gunshot wounds.

A meeting of the party's district committee chapter held on Friday announced to organize a torch procession along the major markets of all 20 local units on Sunday, November 4, and enforce a shutdown from 7 am to 5 pm in the district headquarters Malangawa, and all major markets on November 5. On Sunday, cadres will also be obstructing vehicular movement for one hour along the East-West Highway, the party's district chapter said.

Nagendra Kumar Thapa, the district president of the party, said they will announce further protests on Sunday if their demands are not heeded. "It's been five days since our ward chief was attacked and his uncle was killed on the next day," said Chairperson Thapa.

Last Monday, Ramnaresh Mahato, ward chief of Ramnagar Rural Municipality-4 was brutally attacked apparently by the cadres of the NCP on his way to office. And on the next day, his uncle Rambilas was shot dead at his home and seven NC cadres were injured allegedly by NCP cadres who were said to be settling old scores.

Ward chief Ramnaresh and seven injured cadres are undergoing treatment in District Hospital, Malangawa. On Wednesday, NC vice-chairperson and former home minister Bimalendra Nidhi, spokesman Bishwa Prakash Sharma, central member Ananda Dhungana and NC district presidents of of all eight districts of Province 2 visited the injured at the hospital.

NC has demanded that the deceased be declared martyr, injured provided free treatment, family of the deceased provided relief, the attackers be punished and use of illegal weapons be controlled.

A three-member probe committee led by Senior Superintendent of Police Shekhar Koirala has begun investigating the case since Thursday.

 
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