Journalist Prakash Thakuri who has been missing since one week from his apartment in Bhasi of Mahendranagar could not be traced till Tuesday.

A three-time former vice president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)-Kanchanpur district chapter, Thakuri had been close to royal regime after February 1, 2005, according to Kantipur daily. Thakuri had been staying in the capital and had returned to Mahendranagar only a few days ago.

His wife Janaki Thakuri has informed the police that he was abducted by Maoist cadres. “Maoist worker Pomlal Sharma had come and inquired about Prakash following which YCL cadres took my husband away in motorcycle,” she told reporters.

Based on her allegations, police has taken Pomlal Sharma under their control. Sharma later told reporters that Prakash could have been taken away by YCL cadres. Even as he conceded that Prakash could have been abducted by YCL, in a separate press meet Maoists have denied their hand in the abduction.

Adding to the mystery, a hitherto unknown group calling itself National Republican Army has emailed newspapers claiming Prakash has been killed as he was involved in pro-King activities. The email signed by its spokesperson ‘Krantideep’, however, does not clarify where and how he was killed.

FNJ has issued a statement demanding investigation of the issue and has asked the authorities and all concerned to bring out the truth.