Sanjay, 28, was shot dead by youths close to Tarun Dal, the youth wing of Nepali Congress (NC), at Ghumaune in Kabilas-5, Chitwan following a dispute over extorting money from khayar timber shipment. Police source claimed that the assailants had links with LG Group, a criminal gang, of Pokhara and fled to Pokhara via Tanahun with help of the gang.[break]
The sources said LG Group had gathered information about Sanjay´s gang by mobilizing armed youths at different places Saturday after knowing about the possible confrontation. “They had already made plan to flee and we found gathering of youths at several places before and after the killing,” a police officer said.
He said over half a dozen youths fled the murder scene on motorbikes and reached Muglin from where the youths mobilized by LG Group gave them lift at several places to take them to Bhimad, Tanahun. LG Group itself escorted the assailants to an unknown place in Pokhara from Bhimad, he added. “They were in Pokhara till Saturday night. We are searching if they are still in Pokhara,” the police officer revealed.
The victim´s family has lodged a complaint against Chitwan district chairman of Tarun Dal, Shiva Poudel, and other Tarun Dal cadres including Kumar Gurung, Yam Bahadur Karki, Pramesh Rai, Anil Pariyar, Raju Gurung, Luna Gurung, Chandra Bahadur Tamang and Suresh and other five unidentified youths on Sunday.
Sanjay, who hails from Dhading and currently lives in Bharatpur, was shot dead following a dispute when both the Tarun Dal and YAN groups simultaneously reached Kabilas-5 along the Prithvi Highway and approached two khayar-laden trucks that were heading for Tanahu from Bara. Police in Chitwan have urged the political parties not to give protection to criminals and the big three parties -- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML -- on their part, decided Sunday to not politicize the issue.
The victim´s relatives called a Chitwan shutdown on Sunday with support from YAN and Maoist Young Communist League (YCL). Educational institutions, factories and shops in the district were shut while vehicular movement was also halted till the evening.
Sanjay´s family took possession of the body Sunday after promises that those guilty would be punished. His body will be cremated Monday following a post mortem. Sanjay received one bullet each in chest and abdomen and died at Chitwan Medical College during treatment.
Related story
Tarun Dal to launch 'Youths Dialogue, People's Goodwill' progra...
