Two youths abducted by YCL found killed; protests in Kathmandu

Two youths from Kathmandu – Nirmal Panta and Pushkar Dangol – who were abducted by Maoist-affiliated Youth Communist League (YCL) cadres a month ago on October 20, have been found killed.

The relatives, rights activists and police found their dead bodies in Bhorlephant Bagar of Dhading district. The bodies of the two youths who hail from Syuchatar of Kathmandu were exhumed from a place where they had been buried.

“We could identify them only because of jackets and socks they were wearing,” said Kishore KC, a coordinator of local struggle committee formed to locate them.

The bodies were exhumed from the place after a local farmer complained of strong stench coming from the place.

According to reports, the two had been abducted by YCL cadres from Malekhu a month ago. The two were returning from a trip to Gorkha with their friends. In Malekhu, they were attacked by YCL cadres who were protesting the killing of their local activist. While their other friends returned home later, the two went on missing.

According to Krishna Gautam, central region coordinator of rights organisation INSEC, the YCL did abduct them but it is still unclear who killed them.

Maoists have denied the involvement of YCL in the incident. “It is only accusation. The party does not have information regarding those youths,” said Akansha, Maoists’ Dhading district secretary.

Meanwhile, local residents in Kalanki, Chabahil and other areas in Kathmandu obstructed transportation from early morning Wednesday protesting the death of the two youths.

The agitators have demanded action against those involved in murder of the two youths.

Transportation in various parts of Katmandu has been disrupted. Long routes buses from east and west entering Kathmandu valley have been stranded in Thankot.

The dead bodies have been taken to TU Teaching Hospital for post mortem. nepalnews.com sd/ia Nov 19 08