Dailekh returning to normalcy; irate PM says opposition parties’ democracy is phony

DAILEKH: The normal life in the district headquarters of Dailekh has been returning to normalcy gradually this evening following a number of clashes on Wednesday.

Cadres of the UCPN (Maoist) and opposition parties clashed many times while the opposition leaders pelted stones of the Maoist cadres and the assembly.

The opposition parties in Dailekh had announced a general shutdown protesting the statement made by Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai aiming to protect the murder accused of scribe Thapa.

During the clash, at least 100 party cadres from both the opposition and UCPN (Maoist) were injured. Likewise, Deputy General Inspector of Nepal Police Dapendra Dhowj Hamal was also injured. The government had assigned Hamal to take command of security in the UCPN (Maoist) mass meeting keeping in view of the anti-government protest staged by the opponent parties.
The irate opposition parties’ cadres also vandalized the district office of the UCPN (Maoist) and burnt all the documents. The situation in the district turned violent after the opposition parties’ cadres pelted stones on the Maoist meeting while Deputy Prime Minister and Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Sherstha was delivering his speech. Shrestha was forced to halt his speech for 5 minutes.
Addressing the party’s district convention, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said the opposition parties are exhibiting their undemocratic practices. “They pelted stones on a peaceful rally and assembly which is totally undemocratic.”
Similarly, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai termed the opposition parties’ commitment to democracy as phony. “Their commitment to democracy is phoney,” the PM said. There is no interference in a peaceful demonstration in the democracy.

The ruling Maoist party’s cadres held 10 journalists for supporting the opposition parties and threatened that they would also face the same fate like of murdered journalist Dekendra Raj Thapa.