Cooperative victims irked by RSP activists

BY SANTOSH SUBEDI,Kaski, Oct. 24: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)  leaders and activists from across the country have gathered in Pokhara after the arrest of party president Rabi Lamichhane on charges of misappropriation of cooperative funds and organised crime. 

On Friday last week, Lamichhane was arrested in Kathmandu and brought to Pokhara on Saturday morning. 

Since Saturday, his supporters have been ramping up protests in his defence.

From Wednesday, the party has also been conducting door-to-door campaigns by forming 10 groups. They have urged all Pokhara residents to participate in the protests. However, top leaders of the party have indicated that they are not receiving expected support from the locals. 

Meanwhile, victims of the cooperative have accused the RSP leaders of threatening and trying to influence them during the door-to-door visits. 

The Suryadarshan Savings Victims Struggle and Ad Hoc Committee in Pokhara along with the Cooperative Savings Victims Association in Kaski issued a statement on Wednesday expressing their objections to the RSP's door-to-door campaign in Pokhara city.  

"At a time when there needs to be an impartial investigation and justice for the victims of the cooperative, we express our strong objection to the activities of the leaders and activists of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which disturb the peaceful environment of Pokhara and incite the victims through slogans, speeches and visits to neighbourhoods and homes," the statement read.

It also mentioned instances where victims were chased and beaten up by the RSP activists.

"When the party president comes under investigation, speeches in neighbourhoods suggest he will return the victims' money, leading us to feel more suspicious about the matter. We feel like another party and its leaders are politicising this serious issue concerning cooperative victims," the statement added. 

The victims concluded that when RSP was in government two years ago, they did not provide any assistance despite pleas for help. Now, they believe attempts were being made to influence the investigation.