Activists of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) made futile attempt to set ablaze an officer of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, on Saturday.
Reports generating from Nepal said two motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted Gokarna Sapkota, the legal officer at the cancer hospital, and poured diesel on his body. “They poured diesel on my body and attempted to set me on fire. I survived the incident as I could flee on time,” Sapkota said.
According to Sapkota, the assailants stopped his scooter at Machhapuchhre Chowk while he was returning from a salon.
“There were other persons near the scene as well. They also tried to save me. Later, I fled the scene or else they would have ignited fire,” Sapkota said.
Some pamphlets of CPN Chitwan were recovered from the site that read why Gokarna Sapkota should be punished. The pamphlet said Sapkota was involved in several irregularities in the hospital. The outfit claimed that Sapkota was promoted to this post by unfair means and took commission during recruitment of employees at the cancer hospital.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhu Prasad Dhakal said a search is on to arrest the assailants involved in the incident.
“There was possibility of setting Sapkota on fire as the assailant poured diesel on victim. However, investigation is on whether they made any other attempt to kindle fire,” Dhakal said adding that CNP activists might have been involved in the incident.
The Chand-led CPN has not taken responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) enforced bandh in Kailali district on Saturday demanding release of its activists.
The strike had minimal effect in the district. The outfit called bandh demanding the release of four of its activists arrested in connection with the attack on Mayor of Ghodaghodi municipality Mamata Prasad Chaudhary.
Police arrested Kamal Chettri, Bharat Bahadur Shah, Purna Prasad Khanal and Hridaya Raj Bogati three days ago for attacking Chaudhary who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kathmandu.