Students to file case at ICC on shooting order

Kathmandu , Feb 10 - Student unions associated with seven-party alliance, taking out protest rallies at various campuses on Thursday, decided to file a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) through UN Office, Kathmandu, for giving blanket order to security forces to shoot at peaceful demonstrators.

The students demanded that the government hand over the body of Thapa to the family members. They have also demanded compensation for the bereaved family.

Main while , Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday expressed concern for the life of student Yagya Raj Pant, reportedly beaten up severely by police after his arrested on January 26.

Issuing a statement from London Wednesday, the global human rights watchdog cited an NGO - the Forum for Protection of People's Rights-Nepal (PPR-Nepal) - which said Pant has not received adequate medical treatment for his injuries. AI has written to the government and the diplomatic community about the student's condition.

On February 6, the Kathmandu District Court ordered a medical examination for Pant. Though he was taken to hospital, he was not treated because he could not afford the medical costs. "Section 5(3) of Nepal's Torture Compensation Act of 1996 requires that the government provide medical treatment to victims of torture," AI pointed out.

Pant is now being held at the compound of the Armed Police Force Battalion No. 1, in the Naxal area under the draconian Public Security Act (PSA), which authorizes preventative detention for up to 90 days without trial. The SP at the District Police Office, Jawalakhel has refused to register the case or investigate further, the human rights body said.