POKHARA, Jan. 1: Advisor-member of the Maoist Joint Revolutionary People’s Council central popular government Lok Bahadur Thapa surrendered before the district administration office, Kaski today with a determination to join in the development of a peaceful society and abandon the Maoist party that preaches murder and violence.

Stating that the reforms and changes wished by the Maoists party cannot be achieved through murder, violence, looting and destructive activities, Thapa declared that he would always struggle against violent policies and not be associated with any sister organisation of the Maoists.
Thapa had served as general-secretary of Nepal Magar Association, central vice-president of All Nepal Nationalities Association, founding chief of the Magarat Rastriya Mukti Morcha Nepal and also as general secretary of the former Samyukta Janamorcha Nepal.

In a statement following his surrender, Thapa said that a solution of the present problem facing the country should be reached through the monarchial, multiparty system.

Stating that before the Maoist party became involved in terrorist activities he had worked under the pseudonyms of Karnadwaj and Dharma, Thapa has also urged his daughter Amrita Thapa, son-in-law Hitman Shakya and all others involved in criminal activities to leave the path of murder and violence.
Likewise, Tanahu district No. 3 area member of the Maoist group Birendra Kumar Shrestha, also known as ‘Chinkaji’, has surrendered before the district administration. He had been involved in terrorist activities since the past seven years.

Stating that murder, violence and destructive activities would not bring revolution or change but only destroy the country, he has also urged the Maoist workers and guerrillas who have unknowingly been involved in terrorism and criminal acts to leave that outfit. All ground level workers of the Maoist party are forced to work with empty stomachs, all donations collected had to be handed over to the leadership and anyone leaving the party was threatened with dire consequences, Shrestha said adding that if a conducive atmosphere was provided not even one-third of the Maoists workers would continue in the movement.

The two had been under custody of the security forces for the past nine months. Similarly, Shanti Tamang, who had been declared a martyr by the Maoist group, also surrendered before the district administration today.

Tamang had been injured after being fired at while trying to escape a security forces cordon. Stating that the army personnel donated their blood to save her life, Tamang has expressed surprise over rumours spread after declaring her a martyr.

She has also urged the authorities concerned to make arrangements for a living for her such as a business or employment as she has nowhere to go following her surrender.