KATHMANDU, Sept 7: As the police intensified hunt for the persons who attacked the two new Indian priests at the Pashupatinath temple, Maoists on Monday abruptly called off their protests against the priests´ appointment. However, the Maoists´ struggle committee said it postponed the agitation to ease the devotees´ access to the temple. [break]
Maoists´ local leaders and cadres, who would otherwise act smart, have suddenly disappeared, security officials said.
Police arrested a Maoist-affiliated Taxi-drivers´ wing´s vice-president, Raju Sapkota, for his alleged involvement in priest-thrashing. He was arrested from his residence on Friday a couple of hours after the incident. Police have prepared to lodge a case of public offense against him.
Police are hunting for after a few Maoist cadres including Ramesh Dangol, Prem Pandey and Sandesh Karki, sources said. However, deputy coordinator of the struggle committee Ganesh Adhikari claimed that they were innocent and Sapkota was arrested to force him speak against the trio.
Adhikari said the priests could have been thrashed by thugs who infiltrated the protests at the government´s direction to defame the Maoists.
Related story
Pashupati Study Center to be established in Pashupati area
