Kathmandu: Apparently under pressure
following the outcry over their assault on two Indian priests,
the Maoists have withdrawn their ongoing agitation in the
Pashupatinath temple but will stage "peaceful protests".
The Maoists' agitation for installing local priests in
Pashupatinath took a violent turn on Friday when a group of
40-50 cadres stormed the temple and severely thrashed two
Indian priests, also tearing their clothes and sacred threads.
The Maoist-affiliated Priest Appointment Joint Struggle
Committee (PAJSC) has withdrawn the agitation at the temple
premises from yesterday citing "inconvenience caused to
devotees," officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust,
which manages the affairs of the 5th century shrine, said.
The committee, however, said "peaceful protests" will be
held after deliberation on the issue within it.
It said the stir would continue till its members, who
were arrested during the protest, are released.
The attack on the two priests -- Raghavendra Bhatta and
Girish Bhatta -- provoked all-round outrage with both Indian
and Nepal government slamming it. Major political parties,
including the Terai-based Madhesi outfits, have also deplored
the incident.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, September 08, 2009, 23:08