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Violation of Constituent Assembly Code of Conduct

The reports filed by the INSEC district representatives on 30 March reveal one political cadre was abducted by an unidentified gang. He was later released from Banauali. The Maoists continued to pose disturbances the election campaign of UML and NC across the country.

Political activists of NC, UML and YCL were attacked. There were also reports of scuffle between NCand UML. Though political parties have made repeated commitments to create conducive environment for successful CA elections, they are yet to apply them in actions. These incidents which have taken before the polls have violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and article 25 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966. We urge the leaders of political parties not to repeat these incidents and to transform the commitments into actions. We also urge all not to encourage the violent activities and to work for successful polls. Details: Cadres of All Terai Liberation Front (ATLF) abducted Raj Kumar Khanga Mandal, the candidate of Dalit Janajati Party from Pakari tole of Saptari district on 29 March evening. He was released from Banuali.

Rajkumar is contesting in CA elections from constituency no.2 of Saptari. ATLF area in-charge Abinash took the responsibility for abduction saying he was abducted for ignoring the group's warning against contesting elections. An unidentified group of about five persons attacked Abdollah Mansuri, 35, at 9.30 pm on 29 March. Mansuri is contesting as a candidate of Nepali Congress from constituency no. 5 in Sunsari district. 'I was shot all of a sudden which injured my left leg during my way towards home from election campaign", Mansuri said. He added that the attackers were riding on the motorcycle with the number plate Ko 1 Pa 2721.

No one has taken up the responsibility of the incident so far. The doctors involved in his treatment said that Mansuri might have been attacked by stone or sharp weapon instead of bullet. A team led by Maoist district in-charge, Jeevan Thapa beat Harka Adhikari, 16, and Dipendra Buda, 14, while on the way from their home towards Chitkaiya in Bardiya district on 29 March. Both Adhikari and Buda are affiliated with ANNFSU, sister organisation of CPN (UML).

Maoists accused them of not punishing the people who were chanting slogans against Maoists.Maoists also tried to run over him by a motorcycle. Maoist district member and candidate for constituency no. 3 Chitra Bahadur Khanal said the incident occured when they went to inquire the beating of four people including GoreSunar on 28 March by UML activists. However, it has been observed that UMLhas breached Universal Declaration on child rights which restricts involvement of children in political activities.

Bamdev Gautam, a central committee member of CPN-UML and candidate of Constituent Assembly for constituency no. 1 of Bardiya district, faced hindrance for nearly 30 minutes from holding a corner meeting on 29 March. The Maoists led by Tek Bahadur Khadka stopped Gautam in Guptipur of Manau VDC on 30 March as he was heading to the village along with locals during an electoral campaign. Maoist threatened to Gautam by abusing when he tried to address the public assembly after observing the Karnali river dam side.

Three cadres of CPN-UML have been injured during a clash between Maoists and CPN-UML at Beluwa Chok area of Bardiya district on 30 March evening. Names of the injured could not be known till this report was filed. The cadres, who were seriously injured in the incident, were rushed to Teaching Hospital in Kohalpur. The incident took place immediately after a cycle rallyof CPN-UML. A minor clash was reported in the same area this morning as well.

In Dailekh, More than 10 UML cadres were injured when NC cadres attacked them at Chagatra bazaar, Bagalamgi VDC on 29 March night. NC cadres had attacked them while they were returning from an election campaign in Paduka VDC. Bhadra Bahadur Buda, Kosmic Buda, Subarna Khadka were among the injured UML cadres.

Maoists pelted stones at the election campaign team of UML which was returning from Salu VDC in Ramechhap district on 29 March night. The vehicle ferrying UML cadres was damaged in the incident. Maoists have beaten up Shiva Shrestha, vice-secretary of Duwankot Village Committee of UML in Dhading district on 30 March.

Maoists had tied his hands and legs before beating him up inside his home with a metal rod. Man Bahadur Shrestha and Laxmi Shrestha, parents of Shiva, got serious injury from the beating at the same time. All victims were sent to Kathmandu for treatment. At least 4 hundreds cadres of CPN Maoist had encircled the house of victim before attacking them. Maoists have also been threatening the locals on charge of publicizing the electoral campaign of CPN (UML).

In Sindhuli, Maoists tore up the banner placed at UML's contact office for the constituency no. 2 in Ranichuri VDC-5 on 29 March night. NC informed that the Maoists also removed their hoarding board of village area office at the same time. In a press release, Maoists Kalikot district committee informed that three Maoists were injured in a clash with NC cadre at Jubitha VDC in Kalikot district on 29 March. The press release accused NC cadres including Nirmal Shahi, Chandra Bahadur Shahi, Dile Shahi and Kalam Shahi of attacking Maoists with knives and cycle chains. Meanwhile, NC Kalikot also charged Maoists of detaining one of its cadre and abducting three in the same incident. In a separate press release, NC stated that whereabouts of the three were still known.

Maoists obstructed the election campaign team of NC at Pakuwa VDC in Parbat district on 30 March. Maoists chanted slogans against the the door-to-door campaign team of NC led by central committee member and constituency no. 1 candidate Arjun Prasad Joshi as it reached Gagate in Pakuwa VDC-4. NC had continued its programme after the Maoists led by district member left from the place. Meanwhile, Maoists stated that they had only staged public rally. Maoists have chanted slogans against UML in the latter's election assembly organized at Kalyan VDC in Surkhet district on 30 March. Maoist cadres led by district committee member Tej Bahadur Gharti had chanted slogans as soon as Yamlal Kandel, candidate of UML for the constituency no. 2 finished

UML informed that Maoists pelted stones at the vehicle ferrying UML cadres for the programme. UML candidate for constituency no. 1 in Baitadi district Damodar Bhandari and other cadres were obstructed by Maoists as the election campaign team of UML reached Sigas VDC in Baitadi district on 30 March.

Cadres of Maoist-affiliated Dalit Mukti Morcha had showed black flags to the UML campaign team. Locals informed that the Maoists had returned them from the way as they were heading towards the election assembly. YCL cadre Sanjib Meyambo, 23 of Thechambu VDC-5 in Taplejung has been seriously inured in an attack on 29 March near Thechambu Secondary School.

Maoists' district office secretary informed that UML cadres had attacked Meyambo with khukuri as he was returning home. Meanwhile, UML cadre Chandra Meyambo said that the YCL cadres form Nakholyang had attacked him.