Atma alochana for another cold-blooded murder POST REPORT KATHMANDU, July 6 - It seems it has become an everyday affair for the Maoists to express atma alochana (self-reproach) for the heinous and barbaric acts they commit. As expected, the latest atma alochana has come from the Maoists for the cold-blooded murder of a veterinary doctor, his helper and an Indian merchant in Bardia last week. Prabhakar, commander of the western division of the Maoist militia, said in a statement, "Acknowledging a serious mistake in the incident from our team, and by expressing atma alochana for the same, we extend out heartfelt condolence to the families of the bereaved." Prabhakar also said those involved in the incident - Ashish, Amrit and Kisan - have been expelled from the "People's Liberation Army" and further action against them has been initiated. "We would like to make it clear that stern action will be taken against the guilty so as to discourage those violating the party's policy." The deceased in Friday's incident included Janardan Acharya, a doctor at the Animal Health Service at Quarantine Check Post; his helper Madhav Poudel; and Anuwar Khana, a merchant from Utter Pradesh (India). The incident took place in Kothiyagaon Chowk of Gulariya, the district headquarters, when all of them were attending a fair. However, Prabhakar said the untoward incident had occurred as the attackers' actual targets were two security personnel who had come to the site in plainclothes. In a statement issued on June 7 in the wake of the killing of at least 38 civilians in Madi, Chitwan, where rebels blasted a passenger bus, Maoist supremo Prachanda had said, "Our party has long been upholding the policy of not attacking any civilian physically? and, there has been no shift in this policy." On June 19, Prachanda had renewed his pledge of not attacking any civilian even if he/she was a "criminal".