RPP leader Shahi demands Prachanda compensate for war damages
He claimed that the damage was inflicted in the name of the Maoist movement, and that it was Prachanda’s responsibility to compensate for it.
KATHMANDU: Gyanendra Shahi, a prominent youth leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has called for the compensation of physical damages caused during the Maoist insurgency, demanding that the amount, along with interest, be recovered from the assets of Nepal’s Prime Minister Prachanda.
Speaking at a general assembly of the RPP, Shahi accused Prachanda of causing immense loss to the nation during the decade-long Maoist insurgency, where the country suffered damages worth 1.3 trillion Nepali Rupees, which today would amount to 5 trillion.
He claimed that the damage was inflicted in the name of the Maoist movement, and that it was Prachanda’s responsibility to compensate for it.
Shahi further stated, “During the 10 years of war, the country lost 1.3 trillion, which, when adjusted for current value, stands at 5 trillion in physical property. This should be recovered from Prachanda’s assets, including interest. What has changed? Prachanda’s daughter is now a mayor, his son-in-law holds a position, and his entire family has been placed in powerful positions. This country has suffered a loss of 15 trillion Nepali Rupees, which equates to 305 trillion in today’s terms, because of this. The Maoists must pay this back, one way or another.”
Shahi also criticized the Maoist-led government for shutting down over 1,100 small and medium-sized industries during the insurgency, alleging that over 100,000 domestic industries were ruined, leaving more than 600,000 people unemployed.
He added that thousands of Nepali workers were forced to go abroad in search of employment, as the country struggled with its economic impact.
