UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been assaulted by an ex-combatant this afternoon during the party’s refreshment program at Kathmandu’s Bhrikuti Mandap. Padam Kunwar, 25 from Baglung, slapped Dahal on his face while the Chairman was exchanging greetings with the invited guests at the tea party.
After the assault, the Maoist cadres attacked Kunwar and injured him. He was rescued by the police and taken away for treatment. Dahal, meanwhile escaped unharmed. However, the party has taken the incident seriously and emergency meeting of the top leaders was called at Dahal’s residence in Lazimpat immediately. The meeting has concluded that the attack is ‘a conspiracy against Nepal’s democracy’ and blamed national and international regressive forces for the incident.
A section of the party blamed the attack on the Mohan Baidya led CPN-M, but the split faction of the Maoists have issued a press statement denying their involvement and condemned the attack. Dahal is the third top leader to be assaulted publicly on stage. Two months back, NC President Sushil Koirala was assaulted by his own cadres during the party’s program, while CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal was slapped in his face two years back during his visit to Sunsari district.
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