Anti-poll forces on the rampage

• Dahal escapes unhurt in Kanchanpur ambush

MAHENDRANAGAR/ KATHMANDU, NOV 14 -

As election day nears, desperate poll protesters have started going on the rampage across the country, terrorising top leaders and public alike with violent activities, including bombings, ambush, arson and vandalism.

Early on Wednesday, the protesters planted an ambush along Belauri in Kanchanpur-1 targeting UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, whose convoy was passing through the area. Dahal narrowly escaped as the bomb went off around 10 feet off the road in Dekhatbhuli VDC. The Maoist boss was scheduled to address an election rally in Belauri. Dahal’s son Prakash and Maoist leader Lekhraj Bhatta were also on the vehicle Dahal was travelling in. “The protesters detonated the explosive some 10 feet away from the road. The bomb was very powerful as it created a big crater at the site it exploded,” said Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur Parashuram Aryal. He said casualties could have been high had the bomb exploded on the road.

Aryal said he had alerted local Maoist leader Birbhan Chaudhary about possible threats to the Maoist programme in Balauri.

Three security personnel of the Armed Police Force were on duty about 15 metres away from the site when the incident occurred.

“In the beginning, it was presumed to be a bomb only,” Aryal told the Post. “But it later turned out to be an ambush.”

Govt, parties condemn attack

The Home Ministry was prompt in condemning the attack on former prime minister Dahal. In a statement, it said it has taken the attack ‘seriously.’ “The government has initiated an investigation into the matter and whoever is behind the attack will face action,” Home Ministry spokesperson Shankar Koirala said.

Soon after the incident, the UCPN (Maoist) condemned the poll-opposing CPN-Maoist’s terror tactics and the ambush targeting its chairman. In a statement, Maoist spokesperson Agni Sapkota said the party will not tolerate such activities. “It is a conspiracy against the peace and constitution writing processes,” the statement said. The party also questioned the security arrangements for the November 19 polls. “We demand special security for the former prime minister on whom the entire country has pinned hopes of a lasting peace.”

Other parties, including the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML also denounced the terror tactics of the CPN-Maoist.

“We condemn such violent activities and urge everyone to maintain peace and restraint ahead of the election ,” NC leader Prakash Saran Mahat said.