Maoists continuing atrocities; tortures one on the charge of polygamy

July 14, 2006
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Notwithstanding their commitment to stop atrocities against general people and public commitment of the Maoist supremo Prachanda to stop the people’s courts in urban areas, Maoists abducted and tortured a person for three days in the charge of polygamy.

Dinanath Sharma (File Photo)

Dinanath Sharma
(File Photo)

The Maoists on June 21 brutally tortured Ram Malla, son of Bishnu Kumari Malla of Ghodaha in Devdaha-7, at their ‘peoples’ court’ for a second marriage. Malla and his mother Bishnu Kumari said the Maoists threatened to kill them if they disclosed the fact to the media, the Kantipur Daily reported.

Ram is undergoing treatment in Universal Teaching Hospital in Bhairahawa since two weeks.

Ram married for the second time after his first wife refused to stay at his house for six years after the marriage.

The family members of first wife had filed a petition at the Maoist court demanding action in the case of polygamy.

Though doctors had advised him to go Kathmandu or other places for treatment, he is undergoing treatment in Bhairahawa due to the lack of money. He is undergoing treatment in the neurology and psychology department of the hospital.

The Maoists had also summoned his second wife to attend the people’s court and warned that she has to join the people’s liberation army if she did not appear before the court. She however, defied the order and is staying at her mother’s home.

However, Kantipur daily said that the district level committee of the Maoists has assured to investigate the case and punish the culprits.

When contacted by Nepalnews, a member of the Maoist negotiating team, Dinanath Sharma, said his party did not have the policy of perpetrating torture against anybody and that the policy would continue in the future as well.

He further said that they will investigate the incident and if it was done by the Maoists, appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty in the incident.

He however acknowledged that there are some elements in the party, who are taking action against people due to their personal ego, which is causing harm to the party and movement. He informed that some party cadres are already in detention for doing so.

Sharma further said that some people are collecting donations in the name of Maoists and added that they are searching such people to expose their wrongdoings.

This action of Maoists comes after Maoist Supremo Prachanda said he has directed his party’s district units not to operate “people’s courts” in the capital and urban centers for the time being.

Issuing a press statement on July 3, the Maoist supremo said his party had taken the decision “keeping in view of the gravity of the situation and also to facilitate the on-going peace negotiations and the process towards peace and forward movement.”

Talking to Nepalnews, Sailendra Guragain, Director of the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT), an NGO campaigning to eradicate torture from the country, said that they will study the incident and take necessary action.

Guragain further said that the practice of torture should be ended.