Abduction 'experience' of Thabang Rural Municipality chief
ROLPA, Sept 19: Former Maoist commander and chairperson of Thabang Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Gharti recently went through a terrible experience of abduction. Never in his life had he imagined that he will be taken under control by others for almost 48 hours. His abduction created a huge stir not only in Thabang but also in the whole country.
ROLPA, Sept 19: Former Maoist commander and chairperson of Thabang Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Gharti recently went through a terrible experience of abduction. Never in his life had he imagined that he will be taken under control by others for almost 48 hours. His abduction created a huge stir not only in Thabang but also in the whole country.
Hundreds of security personnel were deployed immediately in search of Gharti by tightening security in the district. A special taskforce reached Thabang for nabbing the culprits and releasing Gharti.
After being freed on Sunday, Gharti opened up about the horrific experience and the reasons behind his abduction. A lot of people had speculated that the major reason behind the abduction was to foil the first village assembly of CPN (Maoist Centre).
According to Gharti, he was kidnapped in a bid to stop Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre) from attending the village assembly.
It has been confirmed that Gharti was kidnapped by the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist. But he was released soon as his kidnappers realized the failure of their plan.
On September 15, after making necessary preparations for the assembly which was planned for the next day, Gharti had stayed at the house of one of his relatives. Before going to bed, he went out for toilet and that was the time when he was encircled by some men. He sensed that something was wrong and tried to run away. “But they took me under control,” he said.
He said that his kidnappers made him walk for miles through jungles. “I walked a long distance that too on empty stomach,” Gharti shared. He was having a difficult time but he says the condition of his abductors was even worse.
He says they were confused about the direction and were walking in rain with no cover. “I was grateful that they offered me a plastic sheet to protect myself from the rain,” Gharti said. Though his kidnappers were a bit rude to him in the beginning, they didn't mistreat him on the way, Gharti shared.
He was told that their chief wanted to meet with him but at last he had to return without meeting anyone.
“They told me that they wanted me to meet with the district chief of the Chand-led CPN-Maoist Subash but he got arrested before I could meet him,” he said, adding, “But I know that was not the reason.”
Later he received a call from assistant district bureau in-charge of CPN-Maoist, Shital, who harshly sought clarifications on the visit of Pushpa Kamal Dahal to Thabang. He also asked Gharti about his accomplishments. He was warned not to make any decisions without consulting the CPN-Maoist. Moreover, he was told to resign from his post.
Recalling the incident, Gharti said, “It would have been better had they discussed their demands with me in front of the public instead of taking such a cowardice step.” Despite all this, Gharti has not lost his hope nor is he afraid of doing what he promised to his voters during the elections.
