Nepal pressured to probe insurgency-era death

International pressure has mounted on the Nepal government to investigate the death of Krishna Prasad Adhikari, who was killed by Maoist cadre in 2004 when Nepal was passing through an insurgency.

launched by the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M).

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Thursday expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Ganga Maya Adhikari who are fasting for over a month demanding that the murderers of their son Krishna Prasad Adhikari be booked, reports Xinhua.

OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville said in a press statement: "We find it deeply disturbing that the parents of Krishna Prasad Adhikari see this hunger strike as their only recourse to persuade the authorities to investigate their son's murder."

He said the OHCHR welcomes reports that police have now opened an investigation into the case.

"However, we have been informed that the couple is refusing to end their fast until tangible steps show this investigation to be credible," he said.

The OHCHR has also urged the authorities to ensure that the case of Adhikari and many other pending cases are promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and perpetrators from all sides of the conflict are held accountable.

"The lack of political commitment to investigating and prosecuting serious crimes committed by all parties to the conflict is weakening the foundation for lasting peace in Nepal, and has led to desperate protests such as that by Adhikari's parents," Colville further said.

Similarly, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) expressed grave concern about deteriorating health of the couple.

In a press release, the ICJ expressed its concern about the government's inaction and protested the failure of the state to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.

But the government is under pressure from the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) -- the rechristened Nepali Maoist political party -- not to investigate the case on the grounds that war-era cases should be dealt by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

UCPN-M chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has warned the head of the interim government in Nepal that he is ready to go to jail but will not accept any investigation into the alleged murder.

The Maoist party has already said that its cadres were involved in the alleged murder but it is "not the appropriate time" to open the case.