Police seize Prachanda’s vehicle
Police seized a Nissan SUV, which was being used illegally by Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Tuesday.
Photo: Kantipur Television
BY GHANASHYAM OJHA
KATHMANDU, April 18 - Police on Tuesday seized the Nissan SUV that was being illegally used by Maoist Chairman, Prachanda.
Dhak Bahadur Karki, superintendent of police (SP), confirmed that police has seized the vehicle. "The vehicle is in Kathmandu Police District Office, Hanumandhoka. We will hand it over to the person who comes with legal documents," Karki said.
The vehicle was apprehended amid an interesting incident. Raju Shrestha, who claimed to be the real owner of the vehicle spotted it at Bagbazaar. He then got into it and started the vehicle using the spare key he still retained.
But Maoist cadres surrounded the vehicle before Raju could drive away. As a scuffle ensued between Shrestha and Maoist cadres, police arrived at the scene and seized the vehicle.
"As the situation turned tense, we took the vehicle under control and brought it to Hanumandhoka," said Karki.
Shrestha said the Maoists abducted him and forcefully took away the vehicle including some valuables on October 19, 2006. He also said the real number plate of the vehicle was Ba 5 Cha 1718. "The Maoists used a forged number plate," he said.
He said he recognized his car by a sticker pasted on the windscreen.
He said he continued requesting them to return his car in the past. "The Maoists continued saying that they would soon return it…but they never did."
Maoist Central leader Ananta said the Maoists were planning to return the vehicle on Wednesday. "Actually, the vehicle was being used by our central leader Devendra Poudel, "Sunil" most recently. However, he conceded that the vehicle was once used by Party Chairman Prachanda. "We had brought the vehicle to Kathmandu from Dhaulagiri to hand it over to the government," Ananta said.
He said he had a talked with Home Minister Krishna Sitaula in this regard this morning. "I told him we would also return other vehicles which are still under our control," he said.
SP Karki also said Maoist Central leader Devendra Poudel, "Sunil" charged him over the phone that police had taken away 'his' vehicle in the manner of a robbery.
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