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Kathmandu Tuesday June 20, 2000 Ahsad 06, 2057.
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Maoists justify killings
By a Post Reporter
JAJARKOT, June 19 - For the
first time, the underground Maoists have given their version of the June 8 police-Maoist
encounter in Panchkatiya, Jajarkot where 25 people were killed.
In an exclusive press briefing
given yesterday to reporters from The Kathmandu Post and Janastha (a pro-left weekly), and
a rights activist from INSEC, the Maoists claimed they had been successful in
"protecting our accomplishments and living upto people’s expectations." The
statement did not elaborate what the "accomplishments" are. The briefing was
conducted in a jungle, some three hours walking distance from the district headquarters
Khalanga.
"We had informed the locals
about our plan to raid the camp (Panchkatiya police station)," says a press statement
handed out during the press briefing. "We were not successful in saving them as the
police used them as human shields".
Of the 25 people killed during
the attack, seven were civilians whose deaths have sparked public outrage, with a vast
number of people sympathizing with the villagers obviously caught in the police-Maoist
crossfire. Five of the civilians were children, including a three-year-old.
"Despite our attempts to
save the lives of the civilians, seven were killed. We deeply mourn the deaths and send
our condolences to their families," states the hand-written statement issued during
the briefing.
The statement is signed by
"Military Commander" Pasang and "Action Commissar" Chandrabir.
Twenty-five persons - 12 police
personnel, including Inspector Navaraj Poudel and six Maoists were killed in the incident
when hundreds of Maoist guerrillas attacked the Special Police Force unit based in
Panchkatiya, Dhime VDC, say police.
Maoist insurgents have again
warned the government "not to use human shields". "The government’s
attitude of using innocent human beings to protect themselves is deplorable. We warn them
and those in our side not to employ human shields", it states.
"The Girija government is
immersed in conspiracies and is abusing the authority given to them by the people,"
states the release. "The attack was executed as we felt responsible to protect the
accomplishments of the war".
According to the release, the
Maoists have seized 22 rifles, three Chinese pistols, two Magnum guns, one pistol and
communication gadgets including a walkie talkie and deck sets. "We have also seized
thousands of bullets, other ammunitions and important papers from the police post."
Furnishing details of the
incident to the Lower House yesterday, Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi said that poor
visibility due to rainfall prevented the police at Panchkatiya police station to fight
back and forced them to withdraw, inflicting heavy casualties.
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