Kirant group admits to cops arms seizure

Himalayan News Service

DHARAN: Kirant Janabadi Workers’ Party (KJWP) has claimed responsibility for seizing weapons from three police posts in Khotang on January 21, 2008.

Organising a press conference in Sunsari’s Dharan today, KJWP assistant secretary Hangsa Kiranti revealed that his party had seized weapons after storming the police bases. KJWP had thus far been denying seizing weapons from the police posts.

KJWP cadres attacked the posts simultaneously and took away seven 303 rifles and their 350 rounds of bullet, two Chinese pistols with 14 rounds of bullet, one communication set, a CDMA telephone and security gear, according to District Police Office Khotang.

Issuing a release, KJWP also accused the UML-led government of trying to upset their agitation by inviting those expelled by the party for talks. The cadres taken action against have been kept in Chhauni barracks of the Nepali Army, it stated.

The note issued by central president Bidhroha Bibas Kiranti named the expelled cadres as Nabin Kiranti (Khadga Bahadur Dewan), former president of the party, Rabin Kiranti, Suman Bantawa ‘Adihang’, Kebal Rai ‘Kainla Khumbu’ and Sandesh Rai, among others.

KJWP has sought urgent action against the group for creating donation terror among industrialists and businessmen. Claiming that the it possessed 900 fighters and sophisticated weapons, the party ruled out possibility of holding talks with the present government.

It has demanded the establishment of Kirant Autonomous State. Stating that the government’s Special Security Plan was targeted against them, the outfit threatened to respond militarily if they were launched an offensive against.