Indian first secy caught in Kathmandu mob fury

NEW DELHI: Ahead of external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee���s visit to Nepal, an Indian diplomat unwittingly became the target of mob violence in Kathmandu where violent anti-Maoist protests have broken out over the murder of two men allegedly by Maoists.

First secretary in the Indian embassy in Kathmandu S K Joshi, who is the head of chancery, was driving to work when he ran into a mob protesting against the murder of two youths. Mr Joshi escaped unhurt as the agitators started pelting stones on his car. But the car was badly damaged in the attack. Sources said that a police report has been lodged over the incident.

But New Delhi has no plans to take the matter up at any other level. Protests have been going on for the last two days in Kathmandu over the murder of two UML youths allegedly by the Maoists��� youth wing cadres. Sources said that they do not believe that the protests were targeted specifically against the Indian diplomat or India. And that Mr Joshi got caught up in the ongoing protests, which took place close to the Indian embassy premises.

The youth wings of main opposition Nepali Congress and coalition partner CPN-UML have called a general strike in Kathmandu.

According to reports, anti-Maoist protests have paralysed life in Nepal with schools, colleges and major markets remaining shut. All private and public vehicles also remained off the roads, reports said. Apart from the Indian diplomat���s car, a number of vehicles were vandalised in different parts of Kathmandu, reports said.

The protests started after the bodies of two youths, allegedly abducted by the Maoists Young Communist League cadres last month, was discovered. Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa and CPN-UML���s Pradip Gyawali, have held prime minister Prachanda morally responsible for the killing, reports said. The Maoists have denied the allegations.

Mr Mukherjee is set to visit Kathmandu on November 24 to hold talks with his Nepali counterpart Upendra Yadav on bilateral issues in the backdrop of the political unrest. ``The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of our extensive bilateral relationship with Nepal,��� the external affairs ministry had said about the visit.

The issues at the top of the agenda include discussions on the proposed revision of the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, efforts to combat combat floods and further cooperation in hydropower projects.