On third day of general strike in Nepal (April 8), Lal Dhoj Newang, Central Secretariat member of All Nepal Trade Union Congress (ANTUC), Manju Bhattarai, leader of Nepal Trade Union Congress were arrested in Kathmandu along with hundreds of protesters during the protest rally called by Seven Party Alliance, trade unions and other mass organizations. Protesters marched in the street chanting slogans gains autocratic monarchy defying the curfew declared for whole day long by the reactionary royal government.
Bhimsen Dahal was murdered by security forces in Phokhara valley when they open fired on the massive demonstration organized by Seven Party Alliance. Local people of Kirtipur city (mini city in Kathmandu valley) compelled security forces to leave the city and declared bravely the city “democratic city”. More than thousand demonstrators were already arrested from different part of the country during the general strike. Hundreds of demonstrators were seriously injured by tear gas, plastic bullet, mercilessly baton charge from armed forces.
We strongly condemn the murder of Bhimsen Dahal and arrest of thousands of party leaders, trade union leaders, peasant, youth, student, women leaders, intellectuals and civil rights defenders. We demand for immediate release of all arrested and demand stop barbaric repression on the peaceful demonstration. We also condemn the imposition of curfew in Kathmandu valley.
We call upon the people, workers and toiling masses to intensify the decisive movement against the dictatorial monarchy and for full democracy, peace and trade rights in Nepal.
Sunil Manandhar
President
Nepal Progressive Trade Union Federation (NPTUF)
And
Convenor
United Trade Union Movement Coordination Committee (UTUMCC)