US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU1619

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001619 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PGOV, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: PROMINENT MAOIST SURRENDERS TO HUMAN RIGHTS 
COMMISSION 
 
 
1.  (U)  On August 19 Mukti Pradhan, a member of the Maoist 
Joint Revolutionary Council on the Government of Nepal's most 
wanted list, surrendered to members of the National Human 
Rights Commission (NHRC).  In a press conference at NHRC, 
Pradhan said he had decided to turn himself in because he 
wants to live peacefully "within the Constitution."  He also 
cited disenchantment with the Maoists' current tactics, 
including attacks on village-level infrastructure, which he 
noted could turn Nepal into "a Somalia."  The Government had 
offered a reward of nearly USD 45,000 for information leading 
to the arrest of Pradhan, a lawyer. 
 
2.  (SBU)  According to human rights activist Subodh 
Pyakurel, after the press conference Pradhan left for his 
Kathmandu home, accompanied by members of the NHRC, where he 
remains under police protection.  He has since been able to 
leave his home on a few occasions--always accompanied by 
friends--to buy food and newspapers.  Pyakurel described 
Pradhan as "terrified" of possible repercussions from both 
the Maoists and the security forces. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Comment:  The reported arrests of other members of 
the Joint Revolutionary Council, such as Rekha Sharma, Bishnu 
Pukar Shrestha, and Krishna Sen (and the apparent death in 
custody of the latter) may have persuaded Pradhan that 
surrender--and a well-attended press conference announcing 
that surrender--offer the safest course of action.  It 
remains unclear if the police protection offered to Pradhan 
amounts to house arrest, or whether the police may decide to 
detain him elsewhere for questioning. 
MALINOWSKI