LALITPUR: Two persons were killed and more than 10 injured in the first known attack on the Christian community in the country here this morning.
A lady breathed her last while undergoing treatment in Patan Hospital and a tenth grader died on the spot when a bomb went off at The Assumption Church in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur. About 250 people had assembled for the prayer service when the bomb went off at around 9:10 am.
Celestina Joseph (15) of Shantinagar, Kathmandu, and Deepa Patrick (30) of Patna were killed in the blast. Joseph was a student of St Mary’s School, Jawalakhel.
According to family sources, Patrick, who was married just around three months ago, was on a trip to Nepal and was to leave for Patna this evening.
ASI Yagya Bahadur Budhathoki, deputed at Patan Hospital, said the condition of five of the injured was critical.
Those injured include Rabi Shrestha, 10, Sweety Singh, 16, Mona Singh, 21, Binayak Kunwar, 18, Buddha Laxmi Joseph, 21, Shyam Kumar Rai, 30, Rina Tamang, 15, Manisha Shakya, 19, Brother Rakesh, 28, Annie Amatya, 16, Sun Maya Tamang, 45.
Nepal Defence Army, a little-known armed outfit, has owned up the heinous cri-me. The outfit had also killed Father John at a church in Sirsiya near Biratnagar some 10 months ago. Pamplets of the outfit, reading ‘Hindu Movement Why?’, were found scattered at the site.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the police said a woman in her 20s had left a handbag in the middle of the hall before heading for the restroom. “The bomb went off some five minutes after the woman left the hall,†a police officer said. The police, however, are clueless about the incident.
The police suspect a pressure cooker was used in the blast.
Meanwhile, several associations have condemned the incident. Issuing a press release Keshav Prasad Chaulagain, secretary of Inter-Religions Council Nepal, condemned the attack. “People of all the religions are shocked by this attack. Such incidents will never hamper the centuries-old religious harmony in Nepal,†the release stated. The ICN had urged the government to take action against the culprits and ensure that such incidents did not recur.
National Council of Churches of Nepal has also deplored the incident and urged the government to compensate the victims. Christian Community, issuing another statement, has warned of social disharmony and religious intolerance if terrorist attacks continued.
Media officer of the Assumption Church Chirendra Satyal said the church was frequented by diplomats. Satyal said the Christian Community is preparing to organise a prayer meeting at the Church on Sunday.
Comments
6
Posted on: 2009-05-24 08:45:43
This country has been known for its religious harmony for centuries and botherhood of peace. We have been tolerant of all religions and celebrated our differences rather than fight over it.It is no suprise that this has happened with the declining security each day kept in mind.I can’t understand why some so called politicans are inciting people to fight for secularism when what we should understand is that each person living in this country is 1st recognised for being a nepali and then of being from individual communities.we should keep in mind that our duty and patriatism towards our nation cannot be undermined and that it is above the judement of some illitrate MP. we should remember prosperity only prevails where there is peace. wish to extend this message to all the readers of this column and to all other nepali bothers and sisters. May the souls of those who have departed R.I.P. and condolences to the families who have had to gone through this immense loss.
Tags: Annie Amatya, assumption church, Celestina Joseph, Christian, church, hindu movement, John, Joseph, Kathmandu, Kumar Rai, Maya Tamang, Mona Singh, Nepal, Patrick, R.I.P, Rabi Shrestha, Rina Tamang, Singh