Pregnant woman dies in Maoist captivity
By DILLI RAM KHATIWADA
HARDIYA, Aug 31 - Three days after the Maoists separated a pregnant woman from her husband at Hardiya-7 of Saptari district and took her under control, the woman breathed her last on Saturday, while in Maoist captivity.
The Maoists have claimed that Phulo Devi Yadav committed suicide by consuming poison.
Phulo Devi was married to Kisun Dev Mahatto, of the same village three years ago. According to local residents, the rebels had also fined the couple Rs 3,000 three years ago, charging them of an illicit relationship.
While Phulo Devi has two sons by her former husband, Kisun Dev has three daughters and two sons from his former wife. Phulo Devi's former husband is already dead.
The couple was staying in the Indian village of Piprahi ever since their marriage and had returned three weeks ago to celebrate Krishna Astami, a Hindu festival.
Badri Nath Adhikari and Shubha Narayan Yadav, two local Maoist leaders, called a social gathering on Wednesday and said their marriage had done "injustice to society". They said that the couple be separated.
Phulo Devi had pleaded that she could not leave her husband, Kisun Dev as she was carrying his child. They had begged the people not to separate them.
According to the locals, as the couple refused to abide by the Maoist's verdict, the rebels severely thrashed the couple with electric wires. The Maoists also forced Kisun Dev's son to whip his father in the gathering.
Rajan Thapa, a local who is also district committee member of the CPN-UML, said the Maoists then handed over Kisun to the locals and took away Phulo Devi to some undisclosed place. Kisun Dev left for India for treatment.
Three days later the Maoists declared that Phulo Devi committed suicide and summoned the villagers to the local Chakaha River for her last rites. But the locals said that they did not find her body there. The Maoists told villagers that they had already buried the body in the river.
Bindi Yadav, father-in-law of Phulo Devi, said that Maoists are yet to answer several questions. "Who gave poison to Phulo Devi who was under Maoist control? Was she carrying poison with her?" he asked.
District chief of the Maoists at Saptari district, Govinda Chaudhari, claimed that Phulo Devi was admitted to Lahan Hospital after she was poisoned and was cured later, but she again fell ill and died while being rushed to hospital.
Rayamajhi Commission to question King Gyanendra
KATHMANDU, Aug 31 - Chairman of the High-Level Probe Commission (HLPC) constituted to investigate the atrocities during the April uprising, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi said Thursday that the panel would question King Gyanendra for his role in suppression of the pro-democracy movement.
Rayamajhi today informed journalists at the Commission’s premises that the panel was preparing to grill the king as the chairman of the then council of ministers, which was responsible for repression of the April uprising.
He, however, did not mention about the procedure to question the king.
Meanwhile, the HLPC today interrogated Principal Secretary of the royal palace Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan.
Maharjan, who reached the commission's office dot at 11 and introduced himself in front of the media persons saying: "I am Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan."
However, he declined to talk to media persons after the interrogation.
"I don't know why I have been called here," Maharjan told media persons.
It is understood that the commission summoned Maharjan for instigating king for the atrocities which resulted in loss of lives and property worth millions leaving thousands of people injured.
The commission, since its formation has already grilled over 200 people, including former ministers of the royal cabinet and top brass former security officials, among others, who were alleged to have played roles in instigating the king for the direct rule or helped oppress the pro-democracy movement.
According to the HLPC, the last phase of interrogation has been focused to interrogate palace-related people.
Courtesy: ekantipur.com
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