Area Police Office, Lahan presented the coordinator of Alliance for Independent Madhesh (AIM) Dr. CK Raut along his 10 supporters who are remanded at its custody for last 32 days before, the Siraha District Court at 11AM today.
They obtained extension of remand for additional 20 days in a unilateral hearing which lasted less than half an hour, where police prevented the defending lawyers from appearing before the court today.
This is the fourth time the remand has been extended. The District Court has extended 1^st time on 3^rd February 2017 for 10 days, 2^nd time on 12 February 2017 for 10 days, 3^rd on 22 February 2017 for 10 days to keep in custody in the name of investigation for organized crime against nation. The next date of hearing is on March 26, 2017 on Sunday.
Police used the back door for exiting Dr. Raut and other co-accused. This is a clear case of Nepali Police detaining Dr. Raut and his supporters as prisoner of conscience, being biased against their political views and its peaceful activities and is hell bent on punishing by physical and mental torture.
Activists and Supporters of Alliance of Independent Madhesh has already held demonstrations in various parts of Siraha district today against the police needing further time for interrogation and investigation to file chargesheet.
Police has arrested Dr. Raut under political pressure after he addressed thousands of Madheshis chanting slogan of freedom who had assembled on Martyr’s day at Lahan on January 18, 2017 . Allinace of Independent Madhesh
AIM is an alliance of Madheshi diaspora, activists, parties and various organisations working for the independence of Madhesh through non-violent and peaceful means following the principles of Buddha, Gandhi and Mandela.
AIM advocates an end to Nepali colonization, racism, slavery and discrimination imposed on Madheshis. It stands for three pillars: (a) Independent Madhesh (b) Democratic System, and (c) Peaceful and Non-violent Means.
Acknowledging that the right to freedom of speech, movement, peaceful assembly and association are the fundamental rights of all human beings everywhere, as also mandated by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Nepal a signatory is, we expect acknowledgement and assurance of our rights from the state and its agencies.
We also appeal to all the state and non-state agencies, human-rights organizations, journalists, political parties, diplomats and international communities to oppose any violation of human rights by the state and its agencies.