Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02KATHMANDU1619
2002-08-20 12:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

PROMINENT MAOIST SURRENDERS TO HUMAN RIGHTS

Tags:  PTER PGOV NP 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001619 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SA/INS
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP
SUBJECT: PROMINENT MAOIST SURRENDERS TO HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION


UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001619

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SA/INS
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP
SUBJECT: PROMINENT MAOIST SURRENDERS TO HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION



1. (U) On August 19 Mukti Pradhan, a member of the Maoist
Joint Revolutionary Council on the Government of Nepal's most
wanted list, surrendered to members of the National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC). In a press conference at NHRC,
Pradhan said he had decided to turn himself in because he
wants to live peacefully "within the Constitution." He also
cited disenchantment with the Maoists' current tactics,
including attacks on village-level infrastructure, which he
noted could turn Nepal into "a Somalia." The Government had
offered a reward of nearly USD 45,000 for information leading
to the arrest of Pradhan, a lawyer.


2. (SBU) According to human rights activist Subodh
Pyakurel, after the press conference Pradhan left for his
Kathmandu home, accompanied by members of the NHRC, where he
remains under police protection. He has since been able to
leave his home on a few occasions--always accompanied by
friends--to buy food and newspapers. Pyakurel described
Pradhan as "terrified" of possible repercussions from both
the Maoists and the security forces.


3. (SBU) Comment: The reported arrests of other members of
the Joint Revolutionary Council, such as Rekha Sharma, Bishnu
Pukar Shrestha, and Krishna Sen (and the apparent death in
custody of the latter) may have persuaded Pradhan that
surrender--and a well-attended press conference announcing
that surrender--offer the safest course of action. It
remains unclear if the police protection offered to Pradhan
amounts to house arrest, or whether the police may decide to
detain him elsewhere for questioning.
MALINOWSKI