Monday, October 17, 2005

11 rights cases reported during Dashain

Kathmandu, Oct 16-The National Human Rights Commission received eleven complaints concerning cases of abduction, disappearances and extortion during the festive season of Dashain.

The commission’s Protection and Monitoring department in Kathmandu and regional offices remained open throughout the festival. The NHRC received six complaints from the Kathmandu valley, two each from Biratnagar and Nepalgunj regional offices and one from Pokhara office. “We also received extortion complaints from Ilam by telephone. The Maoists reportedly demanded Rs 10,000 each from the concerned individuals,” said NHRC member Sudip Pathak.

The commission had its 10 officers and one vehicle on standby in Kathmandu throughout Dashain. One officer on rotation reported to the NHRC everyday from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and the remaining officers remained on standby with their mobile phones on while celebrating the festival. However, no major incident of human rights violation was reported during the festival, he said.

The NHRC directed its Biratnagar regional office to send a team to probe yesterday’s incident of Maoists killings at Limbu Chowk of Belabari-6, Morang district, Pathak said. The NHRC’s Protection and Monitoring department remains open throughout the year including Saturdays and government holidays.

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