Nepal under pressure to probe insurgency-era death

International pressure is mounting on Nepal to probe the death of Krishna Prasad Adhikari, who was killed by Maoists in 2004. But the Maoists are opposed to any investigation.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Thursday expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Adhikari's parents who have been fasting for over a month demanding that the killers be booked, reports Xinhua.

Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Ganga Maya Adhikari have refused to take food until their demand is met.

OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville said: "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 OHCHR welcomed reports that police had 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.

OHCHR has also urged the authorities to ensure that the case of Adhikari and others are promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and perpetrators 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 said.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has also expressed grave concern about deteriorating health of the fasting couple.

But the government is under pressure from the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) -- the rechristened Nepali Maoist party -- not to probe 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 was ready to go to jail but won't accept any investigation into the alleged murder.