The arrest of Hindu extremist Mainalo does not extinguish the fears of Nepali Christians
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - "Some people were arrested, but the network is still active. Only the future can tell what to expect”. Fr. Robin Rai, pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Kathmandu, comments on the arrest of Ram Prasad Mainalo (pictured), leader of Nepal Defence Army (NDA), on 6 September.
The Hindu extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Catholic cathedral in the capital last May that killed 13 faithful and caused 3 wounded. The community of the capital has welcomed the news of the capture of the leader of the NDA with caution. Fr. Rai thanked the government for “having done its duty", but has stressed that "this does not mean that threats and risks for Christians in the country are over".
The arrest happened in Mainalo Bhagidubba, Jhapa district in the east of the country. Police also arrested along with the leader, Pulin Biswas, NDA chief in Morang district, who is also known as Tribhuvan Yadav
Commissioner Devendra Subedar, among the authors of the arrest of two Hindu extremists, says that the NDA is accused of murders, kidnappings, bombings, extortion and threats. The group of rebels is fighting to establish the Nepal as a Hindu nation against secularism and religions considered non-traditional in the country.
In addition to bombing of the Catholic cathedral in Kathmandu, the Nepal Defence Army also claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the headquarters of the Congress Central Party, 11 August, and the bomb at the mosque in Biratnagar on 26 March, which caused three deaths.
Mainalo was transferred to jail in the capital for interrogation about all NDA activity. Investigators hope to get answers from the leader of the group also believed responsible for the death of Fr John Prakash, rector of the Salesian school in Sirsiya, Morang district, killed by unknown assailants in July 2007.
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