Thursday, May 9, 2013

Police arrest anti-graft campaigners


The group was about to start a fast-unto-death in front of the CIAA
KATHMANDU, FEB 23 - Police on Friday arrested three anti-corruption campaigners and a driver just before they were about to start their scheduled fast-unto-death in front of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) demanding a probe into the 'misuse of local funds' in Mahottari district.

Anti-corruption campaigners Sharada Bhusal, Shyam Lal Sah, Sangita Thapa and driver Binod Mandal were arrested from the CIAA and were taken to the Kamalpokhari-based police station. “We were about to start a fast-unto-death but police detained us,” said Shyam Lal Sah.

Some four years ago, they had filed a corruption complaint against Banauli Damauli and Laharpatti VDCs, among others, of the district at the CIAA. In the complaint, they have claimed that concerned VDC secretaries misused millions of rupees allocated for the local bodies. Ram Ekwal Yadav of Banauli Damauli VDC is accused of embezzling Rs 1.9 million while Shatrughan Mishra, secretary of Lahapatti VDC, has been accused of gobbling up Rs 7 million funds.
Before planning to launch the fast-unto-death, they had consulted CIAA Secretary Ganesh Raj Joshi, who is also heading the national anti-graft body as acting chief commissioner. In response, Joshi had asked them not to launch the protest in front of the CIAA as it would 'tarnish the image of the country'. “It's time to hold elections and your protest would give negative message to the international community,” Joshi reportedly told them.

The group had also organised fast-unto-death some four years ago, demanding probe into the misuse of local funds in Jaleshwor. But they had ended the sit-in after a team of officials led by the then Secretary Trilochan Uprety assured of investigating the matter.

The anti-graft campaign ers said some individuals have been issuing death threats against them and their supporters Lalan Sah and Santosh Sah, residents of Banaulidamauli VDC, for publicising irregularities of VDC secretaries.

CIAA officials, however, said they are still investigating into the matter. “Investigations have not yet come to an end,” CIAA Spokesperson Krishna Dhungana said.
Posted on: 2013-02-23 01:00 

http://ekantipur.com/2013/02/23/fullnews/police-arrest-anti-graft-campaigners/367454.html


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