NEPALGUNJ, Nov 10: Stating that physical attacks on them are on the rise, local representatives in Banke have demanded security from the authority. On Friday, they met Chief District Officer Ramesh Kumar KC to draw his attention toward the matter. The local representatives who had come all the way from Raptisonari Rural Municipality said that attacks on them have become common in the district. Unknown groups threaten and warn them as well.
On Thursday, Mahabir Oli, chairperson of ward no 1 of Raptisoanri Rural Municipality was attacked by a group. His attackers punched him and fired a shot at him. Luckily, the bullet missed him. The unknown group had fired the shot at around 6 pm near Kohalpur Area Police Office.
“They first punched me. I retaliated. Then they tried to gun me down. But the bullet missed its target. Then they fled in a motorbike,” Oli narrated.
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There is a small cut on his forehead and he is still nervous. “Not only me, but also all the locals are afraid. We feel the lack of security,” he stated.
The local representatives urged CDO KC to enhance the security situation. Handing over a memorandum to KC, chairman of Raptisoanri Rural Municipality urged him for a thorough investigation into the incident and severe punishment to the culprits. “This kind of terror attack is very dangerous. We ask you to ensure security and peace here,” he told KC.
Earlier in mid August Tikaram Basnet, ward member of Raptisonari-1 was attacked by an armed group. He was thrashed at around 8 pm at his own home and hit by a sharp weapon. Badly injured in the attack, Basnet received treatment for two months. Now he is back from the hospital but cannot walk properly.
Earlier, there was another case of attack on a local representative. Mahomad Ayub Siddiqui, chairperson of Nepaligunj Sub-metropolis-3 was attacked by a group. He was taken to a hospital in Lucknow of India for treatment.
Meanwhile, CDO KC assured the local representatives of due action. “This is both shocking and surprising. We will look into the matter seriously,” he said, adding that the representatives should not lose hope and should keep going. “The local level election took place after nearly two decades. You are the elected representatives. Please do not loose hope,” he said.
