National
Report: Protesters were paid to commit violence
The Tikapur carnage was premeditated and the protesters were offered money to present themselves violently, said a report by a taskforce under Parliamentary Committee on Social Justice and Human Rights.The Tikapur carnage was premeditated and the protesters were offered money to present themselves violently, said a report by a taskforce under Parliamentary Committee on Social Justice and Human Rights.
According to the field report by the five-member taskforce led by CPN-UML lawmaker Jeevan Shrestha, those who were involved in the incident said that they were given Rs 500 and were warned of action if they didn’t join the protest. Eight police officers, including Nepal Police SSP Laxman Neupane, and a toddler were killed in the incident on August 24.
The committee had formed the taskforce in the first week of September to probe the reasons behind the incident. The report, which was presented at the committee’s meeting on Monday, has termed the incident a political conspiracy and motivated by criminal mindset. It has said that the protesting group, the activists of integrated Far-West movement in the presence of the local administration had sealed an agreement on August 23 that they would only resort to the peaceful protest. However, the protesters deceived the local administration and demonstrated with homemade weapons. The report also states that the protesters had organised a feast after the carnage to celebrate their victory over police.
“The incident is unimaginable, condemnable, inhumane and violence-oriented,” the report has concluded.
It, however, has recommended the government to address the genuine demands of the protesters. The taskforce inspected the incident sites, consulted local political parties, agitating sides, security bodies, local civil society and other stakeholders as well.
The report has recommended the government to take legal action against the culprits and provide compensation to the families of those killed in the incident.
According to Sushil Shrestha, chairman of
the committee, detail discussion on the report will be held on Wednesday.
“The report has pointed out serious crime against humanity in the incident. There will be discussion within the committee and the government will be directed accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the protesters have slammed the report claiming it was an attempt to defame it. Former Chairman of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities and Tharu activist Raj Kumar Lekhi said that the report
was biased. “The state is conspiring to trap our leaders,” he said.
Army returns to barracks, civil society urges social harmony
(Ganesh Chaudhary , Tikapur)
The civil society leaders in Tikapur, Kailali, on Monday urged everyone to initiate peace and goodwill campaign to maintain social harmony after the Nepal Army (NA) soldiers, who were mobilised in the town following the April 24 carnage, returned to their barracks.
They have also appealed the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) to coordinate in the security arrangement task in the coming days.
APF Superintendent Harka Rawal said both APF and Nepal Police have been deployed to maintain law and order. “Both forces is working together as per the instruction from the centre,” he said.
With the departure of the NA, Tikapur locals fear that violence could spiral again. They have advised the APF and the Nepal Police to be careful as the protesters had torched several police stations and VDC offices.
Local CPN-UML leader Shyam Khatri said fear-mongering has already started. Many people are already doubting the ability of the APF and the Nepal Police to keep the town free from violence.
“Both security agencies should assure people that they can handle the situation very well,” Khatri said.
Local UCPN (Maoist) leader Kamala Shahi said the security authorities should create peaceful environment.
Local Mahendra Bhandari said the presence and support of Tharu community in peace and goodwill rallies should also be ensured. “The atmosphere of goodwill cannot be created without the presence of protesting Tharu people,” Bhandari said.