I am a journalist based in Nepal as correspondent for the German Press Agency-dpa. Stories posted here are property of dpa.

Monday, February 27, 2012

LEAD: Nepal launches investigation after blast kills three


Eds: Changes slug =

   Kathmandu (dpa) - The Nepalese government launched investigations into a bombing Monday that killed three outside the offices of the state-owned petroleum trading company in the capital, Kathmandu.

   Two people were killed instantly in the blast earlier in the day, and the third victim died in hospital. Seven were injured.

   "An electronic device - like a remote control - had been used to set off the blast," said senior police officer Kuber Singh Rana.

   The government also said it would pay medical expenses to those injured in the incident.

   A little-known indigenous rights group, calling itself the Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha-Bishwokranti, claimed responsibility for the blast, which it said was in protest at the government's inability to offset rising fuel prices.

   Nepal Oil Corporation was subjected to a week-long nationwide protest over a 10-per-cent fuel price increase last month, until the company relented and reduced prices again on January 26.

   Weeks later however, the firm hiked prices again, by more than it had reduced them.

   Security was stepped up in Kathmandu following the explosion.
dpa pt hm

No comments:

Post a Comment