HIMALAYAN TIMES | Nov 28, 2006
The Maoists have tortured three civilians in Sunsari. They broke the leg of a rickshaw-puller and critically wounded a Jana Morcha cadre. The Maoists also abducted and tortured a student before releasing him on Monday.
Arjun Giri, a student of City College (Biratnagar), was abducted from Helgada Chowk (Itahari) last evening and tortured all night.
“I thought the Maoists would eventually kill me, they beat me so badly,” said Giri who was released after the police and journalists pressurized the Maoists to release him. “The Maoists beat me mercilessly right from the time they bundled me into the vehicle while abducting me,” said Giri.
Giri’s brother-in-law Ramesh Karki said: “The Maoists tortured Giri after taking him to their office in Dharan and released him on Monday.” Itahari district secretary of the Maoists Jagdish Sapkota said they had taken Giri under control for investigation.
Chairperson of the Nepal Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (NRDU) Sal Bahadur Khadka said that a group of Maoists led by Maoist cadre Krishna Haluwai beat up rickshaw-puller Tika Oli at Eastern Bus Stand in Itahari. Oli’s left leg has fractured, said Khadka, adding that he is undergoing treatment in Koshi Zonal Hospital (Biratnagar). The NRDU, in a press release, condemned the attack on Oli.
Central member of a Maoist-affiliated trade union Bhanu Mainali said that as there was a mistake on part of the Maoist cadres, the Maoists would help in Oli’s medical treatment.
Jana Morcha cadre Satya Narayan Gurung of Ramgunj Belgachhiya VDC-3 was badly beaten up by the Maoists on Sunday. Gurung sustained injuries in his left hand and his head. He is undergoing treatment in the Koshi Zonal Hospital (Biratnagar), said human rights activist Ramesh Bhattarai.
