KATHMANDU, June 15: The excuse, it turns out, wasn´t even the right one to begin with. The shutdown called by the Maoists on Monday in Kathmandu Valley was purportedly to protest the ´murder´ of their cadre Rajendra Phuyal. But according to a doctor´s preliminary report, the death had nothing to do with other people doing him in.
The postmortem report says that there was residue of a poisonous substance in deceased Phuyal´s stomach, hinting that he most likely committed suicide. [break]
"A preliminary postmortem report showed some poisonous substance in the stomach of the deceased person," said Dr Harihar Wasti, who was involved in conducting the postmortem. "We are yet to get a final report, though."
Sources at TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, said the preliminary report suggests that Phuyal died due to consumption of Metacid, a pesticide.
According to Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, police had taken Phuyal to Bir Hospital after a local woman at Kavresthali, Balaju reported that a man was found in an unconscious state the evening of June 11. Phuyal was foaming in the mouth when police picked him up from a land plot in the area.
Phuyal died soon after he was transferred to TU Teaching Hospital the same evening for treatment. The identity of the unclaimed body was known only on Monday, police said.
Valley denizens had to undergo insurmountable hassles as the Young Communist League (YCL) called a general strike Monday, claiming that Phuyal was kidnapped and subsequently murdered.
Medical professionals and journalists became the main target in the Maoist-enforced general strike in the Valley.
Cadres of the YCL set fire to a motorcycle belonging to a doctor at Chabahil Chowk for defying their banda.
The Maoist protestors vandalized the motorbike belonging to Dr Roshan Raut at Chabahil area while he was on his way to Sahid Gangalal National Heart Center (SGNHC) at Bansbari from his residence in Bhaktapur.
Dr Raut said a group of YCL cadres surrounded him as he reached near Chabahil Pipalbot. "I showed them my identity cards and said there was an urgent case in the hospital," he said. "But the cadres threw away my cards and set the motorcycle on fire."
Dr Raut said he told the agitators that he would turn back if they would not allow him to proceed to the hospital. But his request was ignored.
However, YCL in-Charge in Kathmandu Chandra Bahadur Thapa said the Maoist activists attacked the doctor´s bike as he failed to produce his identity card.
Also a Constituent Assembly (CA) member, Thapa termed the attacks against the doctor, media persons and press vehicles ´a few minor incidents´ that take place in the course of general strikes.
Issuing a press statement, SGNHC Employees Association has denounced the incident. The Association has drawn the attention of the banda organizers that they would be forced to shut down medical facilities also during bandas just like schools and businesses.
Protestors at Sitapaila Chowk vandalized a motorcycle belonging to Krishna Neupane, a journalist working with Avenues Television, while he was on the way to his office at Tripureshwar from Swayambhu this morning. The rear light and front part of the motorbike were broken during the attack.
Likewise, the Maoist protestors also vandalized a vehicle belonging to Kantipur Publications at Chabahil. The vehicle was partially damaged in the attack. The unruly mob also misbehaved towards journalist Badri Tiwari at Sinamangal. Several other journalists heading to their offices were also harassed in other parts of the Valley.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has denounced the attack against media persons and their vehicles.
According to Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Ramshahpath, altogether eight vehicles including four motorcycles, two taxis and two microbuses were vandalized in various parts of the Valley to enforce the banda. The protestors torched two motorcycles - one at Chabahil and another at Baudhha.
There were clashes between police and protestors in some parts of the capital. Police had to lob over half a dozen tear gas cells at Nayabazar area as the protestors targeted them with bricks and stones.
The YCL announced the banda all of a sudden on Monday with no prior notice, catching people unawares. Normal life was hit hard in Kathmandu Valley as most vehicles remained off the road. Only a few motorcycles plied. Educational institutions and businesses also remained shut.
Meanwhile, the Maoists also shut down the Far Western Development Region Monday to protest the decision of the parliamentary speaker not to allow a resolution against President Ram Baran Yadav for discussion in the house. Life was badly affected in Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Achham, Darchula, Baitadi and Dadeldhura districts.
In a separate incident, Chitwan remained shut on Monday due to a general strike called by locals and relatives of Govinda Poudel, who was murdered in the district about a month ago. The protest was organized demanding a probe into the murder and punishment for the guilty.
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