International   

Kathmandu shuts down

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday remained shut to protest the killing of a businessman, who was earlier abducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Vehicles stayed off the road, businesses remained shut and education institutions were closed. Protest rallies were held in different parts of the city. Protesters clashed with members of the Maoists’ youth wing, Young Communist League. Family members of Ram Hari Shrestha, who died in a PLA cantonment during “interrogation”, had called for a strike in the Kathmandu Valley, demanding the formation of a high-level judicial probe commission to investigate the incident.

Bowing to pressure, Maoist Chairman Prachanda on Wednesday issued a statement urging the government to form a probe commission. “Our party is committed to provide all kinds of support to such a probe,” said the statement. Mr. Prachanda also said he was ready to hold a “positive” dialogue with Shrestha’s family.

Earlier, Mr. Prachnda had issued a statement saying Shrestha was killed by “selfish” individuals who had infiltrated the party.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Kathmandu shuts down
“Don’t disrupt Olympics relay”
Key LTTE commander dead
Jamaat-e-Islami leader arrested
Parties agree on Constitution amendment
Israel, Syria confirm indirect peace talks
$10. 14 billion allocated for China quake relief
Spain: ETA leader arrested
Georgia elects new Parliament
Carbon nanotubes the new asbestos?
Setback for Rajapaksa
Talking its way home
Iceland tops peace index

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu