Suspected rebels kill candidate in Nepal

A group of armed men shot dead Dal Bahadur Rai, Mayoral candidate for Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan Corporation.

Suspected Maoist rebels in Nepal on Monday shot dead a Mayoral candidate as campaigning officially began for the February 8 municipal polls dubbed as a farce by the seven-party pro-democracy alliance.

HT Image

A group of armed men shot dead Dal Bahadur Rai, Mayoral candidate for Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan Corporation at Pulchowk in Lalitpur district, 7 km east of Kathmandu Monday afternoon, police said.

They suspect that Maoists were behind the killing, though no one has so far claimed responsibility.

The incident occurred despite the government's claim that enough security has been provided to the candidates in the wake of the Maoists' threat.

The rebels had threatened to take severe action against those contesting the local body polls in Nepal termed as "drama" aimed at "legitimising the autocratic rule" of King Gyanendra. Over 600 candidates have already withdrawn their names due to the rebels' warning.

The government has arranged Rs 700,000 insurance to the Mayoral candidate and Rs. 600,000 to Deputy Mayoral candidate in the wake of the Maoists' threats.