June 6, 2002

Kathmandu: The Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) has expressed profound sorrow over the killing of Nepal Red Cross Society Tanahu branch Vice-president and Red Cross Devghat sub-branch President Dhruba Dev Acharya by a band of Maoist terrorists. Acharya was gunned down by the Maoists on last Tuesday.

HURON also strongly protested the brutal murder of 85-year-old Mrs Lalmati Devi Joshi of Kailali district Pathraiya VDC-1 for refusing to give food to the Maoist terrorists.

Similarly, it expressed deep anguish at the brutal murder of ex-serviceman Man Bahadur Shrestha of Ramechhap district and 41-year-old Ishwar Lal Joshi, Programme Manager of Plan International, Bajhang.

Stating that murder, violence and the revenge motive only give birth to counter-violence rather than addressing the problems, HURON has requested all sides concerned to take immediate initiative for finding a way out of the problem through peaceful means.