apparently it was the work of the maoists !Maoists accept responsibility for Pokhrel's killing (News update) The Maoist-affiliated Dalit Mukti Morcha (Dalit Liberation Front) has owned up responsibility for the killing of 47-year-old top Hindu priest, Pundit Narayan Prasad Pokhrel. BBC Nepali Service on Friday quoted a Maoist leader as saying that their organisation had decided to ?eliminate? Pokhrel for allegedly ?indulging in various crimes in the disguise of religion.? Maoists have blamed late Pokhrel?a charismatic religious leader?of indulging in sexual exploitation, amassing property illegally and trying to garner popular support in favour of monarchy, according to reports. It has been the preferred modus operandi of the Maoists to kill a certain person first and accuse him later. Unfortunately, Pokhrel is no more alive to respond to Maoist accusations. Pokhrel used to openly invite members of dalit community in religious ceremonies and encourage their equal participation in religious rites. Born in western district of Gorkha, Pokhrel started reciting ?Sri Madbhagavat Purana,? a holy Hindu scripture, from the age of 19. He had performed over 1,100 ?yajnas? (religious functions) and raised over Rs one billion from within the country for various charitable causes. Major political parties, rights groups and Hindu organisations have condemned the killing of Pokhrel and have asked the government to bring the culprit to book. A group of Maoist insurgents had shot Pokhrel dead at Ramapur of Dudhrakshya VDC in Rupandehi district Friday morning. His last rites were performed at Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu late Friday. Hundreds of devotees and well-wishers paid their last tributes to late Pokhrel at Royal Nepal Academy and at Pashupati Aryaghat this afternoon. Pokhrel is survived by his two wives, five sons and three daughters, the state-run Nepal Television said. Khageswor Bhattarai, Pokhrel?s aide who also received bullet injuries during indiscriminate firing by the Maoists, has been brought to Kathmandu and is undergoing treatment at the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) hospital at Chhauni, the RNA said. nepalnews.com by May 06 05 Related News