LEKHNATH (KASKI), DEC 26 - The squatters here have complained that the Army personnel, in the name of interrogation at the brigade, beat them severely.
The victims said that the army called them to inquire about the incident of Musetunda at Gagangouda of Lekhnath Municipality where Durga Bahadur Bhandari, an armyman was shot dead, and later beat them.
The army personnel deployed for the security of Nepal Oil Corporation in Gagangaunda was shot dead by the Maoists while he was fetching water from the nearby Ghatte khola in the squatters’ area on Tuesday morning.
The squatters were called in for interrogation for two days at the brigade.
According to the victims, the army showed good behaviour on the first day and left them after simple interrogation at eight pm. But the next day, they were blind-folded and thrashed by the armymen, the squatters have accused.
Among the 10 beaten up by the army include a couple Kedar Shrestha and Chin Maya Shrestha, aged 61 years.
The victims said that the army accused them of being Maoist members and harbouring rebels.
"They blind-folded me with my scarf and severely beat me after accusing me of being a Maoist," Shrestha said. "I
said I am Maoist just to save my life."
However, a source at the brigade denied inflicting any physical torture on the squatters. According to the brigade, Maoists used to eat and stay in the squatters’ area. "So they were called for interrogation only," the brigade source said.Posted on: 2003-12-27 04:44

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