Maoists breached human rights: UNMIN

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 May: Four days after the death of a businessman at a cantonment administered by UNMIN surfaced, the Mission in a bland statement Monday said the abduction and murder by Maoists was a breach of human rights.
“This is a serious breach of the commitments made in the Agreement on Monitoring the Management of Arms and Armies reached between the CPN (Maoist) and the then government, as well as of the fundamental human rights,” the Mission said.
Maoists this month abducted Ram Kazi Shrestha from the capital to a cantonment in Chitwan where he was tortured and killed for allegedly stealing Rs 1.7 million and a UN-registered pistol.
The money and pistol were stolen by Maoist combatants staying in a rented room in Shrestha’s house.
OHCHR, is following the case with police, UNMIN said.
UNMIN said the murder will be discussed at a tripartite meeting of a joint monitoring committee, including government and Maoist representatives, and asked Maoists to cooperate with police in its investigation.
Second-ranking Maoist leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ said the murder has harmed the party’s image.
The murder surfaced at a time when Maoists are staking a claim to form a government after victory on the 10 April elections.
Students of rival parties have seized the opportunity to protest the murder and stage daily protests in the capital.
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