Kathmandu, December 7
Nepal’s principal opposition party UML has accused the government of mobilising criminal gangs to hunt down local protest leaders, and to deter demonstrators from taking on to the streets.
The statement comes few hours after after gunmen shot at a UML sympathiser businessman in Bhairahawa, a hotbed of anti-government protests on Tuesday night.
“The ruling coalition’s call to retaliate our protests, and the firing cannot be just a mere coincidence,” said UML general secretary Ishwar Pokharel, referring to the Kul Prasad Neupane shooting incident.”
“This is no ordinary incident. Neupane was leading local protests against the government move to remove hill districts from Province 5. Elsewhere also we have received reports of intimidation,” said Pokharel.
An unidentified gunman fired at Neupane on Tuesday night, but he evaded being hit.
