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Kathmandu Valley Returned to Normal After Government Committed Probe

Kathmandu street as seen today. Photos: Smita

Kathmandu, September 12, 2008- After the government committed on Friday to form a fair and honest probe into police excesses and the death of Pradeep Kumar Khadka, the crippled life in Kathmandu valley that resulted from the Nepal bandh returned to normal in the afternoon.

The government promised to form a committee that would inquire into the killing of Khadka, following the adjournment of the Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting when the Nepali Congress (NC) lawmakers picketed the rostrum today.

Minister for Water Resources Bishnu Poudel, speaking on behalf of the government at the CA, said that the committee would submit the report within 15 days of its formation.

He assured that the government will take action against the culprit and the victim’s family will be provided with compensation. Minister Poudel also urged the agitators to withdraw all protest programs.

The joint strike was called by the Civil Society Struggle Committee, Nepali Congress (NC) and its student wing Nepal Students Union (NSU) to protest against the police excesses and alleged killing of Khadka, at Balkumari, Lalitpur on Wednesday night.

Khadka, 38, resident of Katari VDC-4 in Udayapur District, was a lawyer and a construction entrepreneur by profession. He was a son of NC Udayapur District leader Arjun Khadka and a Nepali Congress activist himself.

The Kathmandu Post quoted an eyewitness as saying that police had blown a whistle to stop Khadka's motorcycle at Balkumari Chowk as he was on his way home at about 9:15 pm on that unfortunate Wednesday night.

Five policemen allegedly pounced on him, alleging that he had stopped his two-wheeler some few meters away from the spot. The eyewitness said the policemen started beating him up, reminding him of the directives of new Home Minister, Bam Dev Gautam.

Protesters.

"Forgive me, if there is any mistake on my part. Please don't kill me. Take me to Hanuman Dhoka or another place. Take action against me but don't beat me up," the eyewitness quoted deceased Khadka as pleading.

The eyewitness said that despite the Khadka’s pleas the police continued beating him with wooden planks, sticks and boots. They reported that the police used obscene language and severely thrashed Khadka. Severe bruises could be clearly seen on Khadka’s face, chest and head, they said.

Police later took Khadka to Patan Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead.

However, the Hospital refused to admit him, saying that Khadka was already dead when they brought him in.

The police have claimed that Khadka died on his way to the hospital after he met with an accident and not because of beating.

As police claimed he died in an accident, Khadka's family members refused to receive the body yesterday.

The furious protestors obstructed the vehicular movement at major streets in the capital from early morning leading to closure of many schools in the valley.

The agitating students clashed with the police at various places in the capital. Dozens of students affiliated to the NSU were injured after police baton-charged the agitators. Approximately 50 students who were taken into custody from different colleges and demonstration areas were later released.

A team led by the father of the deceased was arrested as they were going to submit a memorandum to the Constituent Assembly chairman. This intensified the protest, but he too was released later.

Photos: Smita

The agitators had called for the valley bandh, demanding the formation of an unbiased committee to inquire into the incident, that the deceased be declared a martyr, that action be taken against the guilty police personnel, and compensation be made to the bereaved family.

The NC- Udaypur also called for an indefinite strike in the district to protest the murder and the police brutality. Markets, transportation in Gaighat, Katari and educational institutions in Belbaari of Udayapur District were shut down from this morning.

Following the commitment from Minister Poudel, the agitators pulled off their strike. Police have come down heavily on Kathmandu's night life, stepping up security and night-time checking during the last few days following the order by Home Minister Gautam.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

तपाईंको भनाइ लेखी छाड्‍न र अरुको भनाइ पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस्
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