******************** NHRC surprised by criticism over Kapilbastu Press meet of NHRC Photo: Bikash Karki Deepesh Das Shrestha KATHMANDU, April 6 - The National Human Rights Commission, the NHRC, said Wednesday that it was shocked at the criticism directed toward it by Nepali human rights organizations in recent days. A joint statement released by various human rights bodies Monday targeted the commission's investigations into the Kapilbastu incident. Kapilbastu was the site of vigilante violence in February that led to the loss of nearly four dozen lives, the burning down of hundreds of houses and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Ten human rights organisations—INSEC, INHURED International, HUREP Nepal, COCAP, CERHUDES and others—had criticised the NHRC’s initial statement of April 1 about the recommendations it had made to the government on the matter, terming it as being "incomplete." The NHRC in its April 1 statement pointed out the numerous losses of lives and destruction of property in Kapilbastu. The NHRC had asked that the government take effective measures to “guarantee the protection of the affected people.” It also recommended that a committee be established urgently to investigate the killings and arson that have taken place since Feb. 17, when the violence started, to ascertain the loss of lives and property and to take legal action against those involved in the criminal incidents. The rights bodies had condemned the NHRC for that recommendation. They criticised the NHRC for not using the mandate given to it by law, instead letting the government find its own conclusions regarding the incident. The NHRC, however, responded through a press conference of its own today, saying that the organizations had jumped to conclusions in their criticism without knowing the facts. “The commission has been carrying out its duty with utmost commitment and sensitiveness,” said NHRC Acting Secretary Durba Nepal, “and it has no intention of handing over its responsibility to the government.” Inciting masses counterproductive: NHRC Meanwhile, the NHRC at the same press conference today made public its preliminary report on the Kapilbastu incident. The NHRC team that visited the site for six days concluded that a total of 47—34 by vigilante groups, 14 by the Maoists and one by security forces—were killed in the anti-Maoist uprising in different villages until March 26. Over 450 houses were burnt down— 318 only in Halal Nagar and 118 in Bisanpur. Over 50 villages were affected. The NHRC said that the destructive activities of the vigilante groups were not considered and prevented on time and that some incidents of killings had even taken place in front of the security forces. NHRC commissioner Kapil Shrestha said that inciting masses could prove to be counterproductive. The government had publicised the uprising as daring and courageous. Three ministers had visited Kapilbastu on Feb. 21 to express solidarity with the vigilante groups. The government said it would introduce integrated development packages as an inducement in such areas where the people themselves had taken action. Commissioner Shrestha said that responsible people who should have displayed restraint at such a time had not done so. “This has taught us a lesson,” he said referring to the violence that got out of hand. (yv) NHRC surprised by criticism over Kapilbastu Press meet of NHRC Photo: Bikash Karki Deepesh Das Shrestha KATHMANDU, April 6 - The National Human Rights Commission, the NHRC, said Wednesday that it was shocked at the criticism directed toward it by Nepali human rights organizations in recent days. A joint statement released by various human rights bodies Monday targeted the commission’s investigations into the Kapilbastu incident. Kapilbastu was the site of vigilante violence in February that led to the loss of nearly four dozen lives, the burning down of hundreds of houses and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Ten human rights organisations—INSEC, INHURED International, HUREP Nepal, COCAP, CERHUDES and others—had criticised the NHRC’s initial statement of April 1 about the recommendations it had made to the government on the matter, terming it as being “incomplete.” The NHRC in its April 1 statement pointed out the numerous losses of lives and destruction of property in Kapilbastu. The NHRC had asked that the government take effective measures to “guarantee the protection of the affected people.” It also recommended that a committee be established urgently to investigate the killings and arson that have taken place since Feb. 17, when the violence started, to ascertain the loss of lives and property and to take legal action against those involved in the criminal incidents. The rights bodies had condemned the NHRC for that recommendation. They criticised the NHRC for not using the mandate given to it by law, instead letting the government find its own conclusions regarding the incident. The NHRC, however, responded through a press conference of its own today, saying that the organizations had jumped to conclusions in their criticism without knowing the facts. “The commission has been carrying out its duty with utmost commitment and sensitiveness,” said NHRC Acting Secretary Durba Nepal, “and it has no intention of handing over its responsibility to the government.” Inciting masses counterproductive: NHRC Meanwhile, the NHRC at the same press conference today made public its preliminary report on the Kapilbastu incident. The NHRC team that visited the site for six days concluded that a total of 47—34 by vigilante groups, 14 by the Maoists and one by security forces—were killed in the anti-Maoist uprising in different villages until March 26. Over 450 houses were burnt down— 318 only in Halal Nagar and 118 in Bisanpur. Over 50 villages were affected. The NHRC said that the destructive activities of the vigilante groups were not considered and prevented on time and that some incidents of killings had even taken place in front of the security forces. NHRC commissioner Kapil Shrestha said that inciting masses could prove to be counterproductive. The government had publicised the uprising as daring and courageous. Three ministers had visited Kapilbastu on Feb. 21 to express solidarity with the vigilante groups. The government said it would introduce integrated development packages as an inducement in such areas where the people themselves had taken action. Commissioner Shrestha said that responsible people who should have displayed restraint at such a time had not done so. “This has taught us a lesson,” he said referring to the violence that got out of hand. 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