NCP cadres attacked Gyanendra Shahi, accuses Surendra Bhandari

KATHMANDU, Sept 29: Anti-corruption activist Gyanendra Shahi was assaulted and severely beaten by the cadres of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), accused Surendra Bhandari, senior advocate and coordinator of Nepali for Nepal campaign.

Shahi was attacked and beaten until injured by a group of unidentified youths in Chaubishkoth, Bharatpur on Saturday.

He was hosting an anti-corruption program in Chitwan district when the youths broke into the stage and clogged the function.

“A group of 25 youth associated to former Maoist wing Young Communist League (YCL) and Youth Association of NCP interfered into the program, tore the banner and seized the mike,” said Bhandari.

Shah was assaulted by “stones, sticks and rods” while he was returning home following the cancelation of the program, according to reports.

“Shahi was manhandled by the NCP cadres,” Bhandari claimed.

Shahi was rescued by the Bharatpur Police and taken to Chitwan Medical College for preliminary treatment. He was transferred to the National Trauma Center in the capital.

According to sources, the police have arrested two persons in connection with the attack. However, it has not been revealed whether the attackers were NCP cadres.

It has also been reported that Shahi was warned not to conduct any programs and demonstrations in Chitwan by the NCP cadres there.

Two weeks ago, a video surfaced on social media showed a group of passengers including Shahi confronting Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai inside a plane for causing a flight delay at the Dhangadhi Airport.

Bhattarai had later apologized to the passengers for causing the flight delay while labeling Shahi’s protest as “pro-monarchy activity”.

Following which, the ruling party wings had banned Shahi from a number of districts including Kaski, Dhanusha and Chitwan calling him a pro-monarchist.