KATHMANDU, JAN 01 - The CPN-UML has termed the detention of its standing committee member Ishwor Pokharel by the Indian authorities at the New Delhi Airport as gross violation of the existing Nepal-India Treaty as well as subjugation of Nepalese citizens.
In a press meeting organised today at the party office, Jhala Nath Khanal, chief of the foreign relations department of the party, said that detention of a former Member of Parliament shortly before his departure has openly ridiculed the centuries-long ties between the two countries.
"It is violation of minimum norms of diplomatic courtesy a friendly nation should follow while treating a senior party leader returning home after attending a formal programme," Khanal said. "We have taken it seriously, it is not only a defamatory but also an objectionable act."
Pokharel said he was mistreated, deprived of making contact outside and interrogated by putting up irrelevant questions that amount to direct intervention in internal affairs of Nepal.
He was detained by the Indian security personnel on Tuesday for about 14 hours at the New Delhi airport while he was returning home after attending a protest rally organised by non-resident Nepalis in New Delhi.
"They asked me why we are denying to opt for constituent assembly elections, what were the issues that our general secretary Madhav Nepal discussed with the Maoist leaders in Lucknow and so on," Pokharel revealed. "Their mode of questionings showed as if they were the true ruler of Nepal."
The CPN-UML leaders, however, denied any possibility of protesting the incident in Kathmandu. "It is the matter that should be realised by the Indians themselves," said Khanal. "We have faxed our statement to the Indian Embassy here."Posted on: 2004-01-02 04:37

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