Ashu, Looks like he will simply deny it. http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/mar/mar19/news12.php Blame someone else, a regressive force, for everything that goes wrong. __________________________________________________ Maoists deny hand in manhandling of businessman The Maoists have claimed that the manhandling of a businessman in Kathmandu last night has nothing to do with their party. Talking to Nepalnews, Maoist leader Dev Gurung said his party had no policy to abduct or take action against anybody and claimed that the attack on Hari Shrestha, owner of Hotel Woodland at Durbar Marg, on Sunday night could be the result of dispute between the employers and the workers. He, however, said the party would investigate into the incident and initiate action if any party cadre was found involved. He said the party was ready to help solve the problem through dialogue. Gurung, who is the deputy leader of the Maoists in the parliament, said as his party had not yet joined the government it had nothing much to do to end the shutdown strike called by the businessmen in protest against 'Maoist intimidation'. Saying that the business community was only targeting the Maoist party, he said the strike of the businessmen smacked of "involvement of reactionaries". The owner of Hotel Woodlands, Hari Lal Shrestha, talking to journalists outside the PM's residence in Baluwatar after he was allegedly beaten by the Maoists on Sunday night. He said he was attacked for refusing to provide 'donations' as demanded by them, Monday, Mar 19 07. nepalnews.com/ANA Meanwhile, the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union has also denied involvement in the attack on the owner of Hotel Woodland. A press release issued by the Union today stated that the incident was all about a dispute between former workers who were suspended from jobs and the hotel management. A group of 'Maoist cadres' had abducted Shrestha from the hotel and severely beat him up. Shrestha has said the Maoists tortured him as he refused to pay Rs 2 million donation to them. nepalnews.com mk/pb Mar 19 07