Maoists issue belated apology for tarring Sinha

BAJHANG: Three days after tarring the face of the chief of the district agriculture office, Birendra Prasad Sinha, the erring UCPN-Maoist cadres have issued a public apology for their misconduct on Saturday.

The Maoists made the apology during an all-party meeting held at the District Administration Office on Saturday.

On July 7, the Maoist activists had roughed up Sinha by dragging him out of his office in Chauraha, the district headquarters, prior to smearing soot on his face for alleged financial irregularities.

Following the incident, Sinha had filed a complaint against five Maoist cadres stating the act was a violation of human rights. He had also stated that the Maoist act had undermined his rights to live with dignity.

As per the complaint, police had held Maoist district in-charge Ananda Lal BK , who was later released after he apologised during the meeting.

Sinha, who was taking refuge at the District Administration Office citing personal security, returned to his job commitments after the Maoists apologised.

The Maoists had accused Sinha of embezzling millions of rupees from Mini Irrigation Project and misappropriating the funds while importing chemical fertilisers and seeds to the district.