Prachanda concedes involvement of his cadres in abduction of journalist

Maoist chairman Prachanda has conceded the involvement of his party’s cadres in the abduction of Bara-based journalist Birendra Shah.

During his meeting with a delegation of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) including wife, brother and kids of the abducted journo, Prachanda promised to take action against those involved in the abduction of Shah

“He did not refute reports that Shah was abducted by Maoist cadres,” said Bishnu Nishthuri, president of FNJ, who was present during the meeting.

According to Nishthuri, Prachanda said his party has no policy of abducting journalists. “He said his party will cooperate to take legal action against those involved in the abduction of Shah,” said Nishthuri.

The whereabouts of Shah, who was abducted 27 days ago, still remains unknown even though various organisations including FNJ and parliamentary panel have already concluded that he was abducted by local Maoist leaders of Bara district.

“Both Prime Minister and Prachanda have said they will make public the whereabouts of Shah within three days. So, FNJ will wait for three days after which we will launch agitation,” said Nishthuri.

At the initiative of FNJ, family members of Shah met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Tuesday and with Prachanda on Wednesday. They have come to Kathmandu to plead for safe release of Shah