Monday, October 16, 2006

Govt refutes disappearance of 49 from Bhairav Nath

The government has said the report by the Office of the High Commission for Human Right (OHCHR) in Nepal about the disappearance of at least 49 detainees from Bhairav Nath battalion is incorrect.
Presenting the report prepared by Nepali Army at the meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and human rights on Monday, defence secretary Bishnu Dutta Uprety said many of the detainees kept at the battalion have already been released.
According to the report, Atma Ram Bajracharya was handed over to his wife on April 2, 2004, Normala Bhandari was handed over to her brother on October 8, 2004. Similarly, Khadga Bahadur Gharti Magar died while undergoing treatment at Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni on February 24, 2004 and District Police Office, Nuwakot released Hira Bahadur Royal three years ago.
Jalandhar Bastola died in a pressure cooker bomb explosion in Nuwakot on August 15, 2004 while Chet Nath Dhungana was handed over to family members on September 3, 2004.
Like wise Nima Dorji Sherpa was released from Singha Nath battalion, Bhaktapur on December 20, 2004 and Renuka Ale Magar was also handed over to her uncle.
The report further says Sudarshan Sapkota was handed over to his friend and Bal Krishna Shrestha was released from District Police Office, Saptari on May 25 this year. Buddhi Lal Tamang has been given two years jail term and declared unfit for other government service as he absconded from police service while Hem Narayan Shrestha was released on May 17, 2004.
The government has said this is the final list of detainees kept at the Bhairav Nath battalion, Maharajgunj. The report admitted that detainees at the battalion were given severe torture and punishment using electric shocks.
After the OHCHR publicised that at least 49 detainees were disappeared from the battalion, the government formed a five-member investigation committee under the leadership of Brigadier General Sarad Kumar Neupane on June 14.
The parliamentary committee has recommended the government for further investigation into the issue after discussion with the relatives of the disappeared citizens. Meanwhile, some MPs at the meeting refuted that the report was factual and demanded further investigation. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has already said it would investigate into the disappearance from the battalion.

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