Poitically motivated activity of Maoists. Guess what, they released 60 free, I don;t think so... they made them join Maoists... Coz Maoists seriously need those gangsters. Maoists make public Valley ‘gangsters’ BY KOSH RAJ KOIRALA KATHMANDU, Oct 22 - In an effort to curb growing criminal activity in the capital, Maoists arrested over 70 members allegedly associated with organized criminal gangs in Kathmandu valley in the last three weeks. Maoists set free 60 of those arrested as of Saturday. Speaking at a press conference organized in Lalitpur Saturday, Pawan Man Shrestha, president of Maoist affiliated Newa Mukti Morcha, claimed that the party started Crime Control (CC) operation in Kathmandu Valley some three weeks ago following requests from locals and businesspersons. Claiming that all those arrested were involved in various criminal activities including looting, extortion, kidnapping and murder in different parts of the Valley, Shrestha said, "Altogether 24 others have surrendered themselves to the party over the period." Maoists have claimed that criminal activities in the Valley have gone down considerably after they started their CC operation. Hisila Yami, central committee member of CPN (Maoist) informed that sixty of those arrested have been released after the latter made written commitments not repeat similar acts in the future. Stating that all those released would be under strict supervision of the party, Yami said, "Those released have been set free on condition of arriving at the Party office when summoned." Among those still under Maoist control are Bal Bahadur Limbu (Satdobato), Laxmi Khadgi (Mangalbazar), Sushil Thapa (Palpa), Madhav GC (Nuwakot), Rajesh Shrestha (Chakrapath), Tarani Prasad Thakur (Chakrapath) and Umesh Shrestha (Bhaktapur). Likewise, Dipak Lama (Dhumbarahi), Megh Raj Shrestha (Jhapa) and Krishna Lama (Balaju) are also under Maoist control. Maoists have recovered 4 pistols, 2 revolvers, 59 bullets, six Khukuris, 14 swords, 3 knives, one nunchaku and two sets of pepper sprays. They have also recovered 20 motorcycles, 39 mobile sets and gold jewelery, among others, from the arrested. Shrestha said the party would hold the seized property until those released make sure that they change their behavior. "We will return the property considering changes in the behavior of those released," he said. On the occasion, Shrestha also announced the end of CC operation in Kathmandu valley for the moment. Adding that the party would start fresh operation if necessary in future, he said, "We request people to inform about any criminal activities on our hotline [015011120]." 'People's Liberation Army' (PLA) 'Brigadier' Sagar said PLA started the operation under party directives. Referring to allegations that Maoists were breaching cease-fire code of conduct, Sagar said, "Instead of breaching the cease-fire code of conduct, the PLA is helping police and army in their work." On the occasion, one of the arrested Krishna Lama said that he had not been involved in criminal activities. Stating that he was a central member of National Unity Council, Lama said, "I have a wife and three children at home. I should get a chance to meet them." It’s illegal: Police Police said that the action taken by Maoist-affiliated Newa Mukti Morcha in the name of curbing criminal activities is illegal. "All citizens are police without uniform. We are ready to control crime and arrest criminals when civilized citizens provide us with such information," said Dhak Bahadur Karki, chief of Kathmandu District Police office. "If there is weakness on our part, it is the duty of all to provide information to us or our higher authorities. But, it is illegal to take arbitrary action against citizens on various charges. It is a violation of human rights." SP Karki also alleged that Maoists action is motivated by political interest rather than controlling crime in the valley. "One should hand over criminals if they are found with adequate proofs. We will take action as per the law of the land. We are ready to hold discussion with concerned parties if they are not convinced with our action," added Karki. Posted on: 2006-10-21 22:20:59 (Server Time)