Kathmandu, June 20: Speakers at a condolence meeting today spoke in terms of high respect for Inspector Navaraj Poudyal, the commander of striking force who was murdered by Maoist rebels in Jajarkot two weeks ago.

“He was killed while fighting for the nation,” said Chitralekha Yadav, the Deputy Speaker of the Inspector who headed a small group of policemen who were engaged in a crossfire overnight with the Maoist rebels who attacked the police post in Panchkatia of Jajarkot. “That’s why he survives in our memories even today,” Yadav told a condolence meeting organised today by the Friends Club of Kopundole of her family friend Poudyal. Inspector Poudyal was a founding member of the club. “He fought till there was the last drop of blood in his body and the police have lost a brave fighter in his death.”

The Maoists killed Poudyal and 11 police personnel in the shootout following a sudden attack on June 7. Seven civilians, five of them children, and two Maoists were among others who were killed.

In a statement, Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi said: In his death, the nation has lost a patriot and dutiful citizen. “In this moment of grief, I express profound condolence to the bereaved family and pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul.”

The late Inspector’s younger brother Rajiv Poudyal read out a poem praising the sacrifices his brother had made when fighting for the nation. “We thank all our friends and relatives who stood by us in this moment of grief.”

Tourism Minister Tarini Dutta Chataut and Member of Parliament Sharad Singh Bhandari were among other speakers at the function chaired by Yog Prasad Upadhyaya.

The Club’s former President Umesh Chandra Regmi lauded the late Inspector and extended condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the club. The organisers said the Friends’ Club of Kopundole had been named as Navaraj Smriti Batika (Navaraj Memorial Garden) with effect from today.