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Nepal

Christians fear further extremist attacks despite ringleader´s arrest

Updated: September 18, 2009 07:52 AM GMT
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Christians in Nepal are cautiously relieved after the arrest of Hindu extremist leader Ram Prasad Mainali but many believe a lull in attacks on them and other non-Hindus may only be temporary

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A police investigation team collecting evidence inside Assumption Church after the May 23 bomb blast

Mainali, the chief of the shadowy Hindu group called Nepal Defense Army (NDA) that took responsibility for bombing the Church of the Assumption in Kathmandu, was arrested by the police on Sept. 5 along with three accomplices. President of the Nepal Catholic Society, Binod Gurung, told UCA News on Sept. 16 that the arrest was a relief. "We hope Christians in Nepal will not be attacked and threatened in the future," he said. Bishop Anthony Sharma, apostolic vicar of Nepal, told UCA News on Sept. 16 that the church bombing and the subsequent arrests have given more publicity to the small Catholic community in Nepal, while they have had a "negative effect" on the Hindu community. "This will negatively affect the country and the country´s new-found secularism," he added. The Jesuit prelate also expressed his desire to meet Mainali "if possible" and ask him a few questions. "I will ask him why he targeted us, what his ultimate aim was and whether his actions have had a negative effect on Hinduism," he said. "Although all of us are aware of the fact that Mainali´s network will still be active, we hope our prayers will keep them from all evil intentions," he said. Terence Lama, a Catholic, told UCA News on Sept. 16 that threats against Christians may stop for a while "but we all know that it is just temporary." "Mainali may just walk out of jail one fine day soon as he did last year," Lama added. Mainali was arrested early in 2008 but released on bail soon after. Protestant pastor Laxmi Prasad Neupane shares fears he may soon be on the streets again. "He will unleash terror against Christians with new zeal if he is freed on bail. The government must be firm this time around," Pastor Neupane said. He told UCA News on Sept. 18 that Christians in Nepal should be cautious as Mainali´s group "may still continue with the kind of activities it has been carrying out." "Mainali should be tried in the courts and sentenced to life in prison for killing innocent people, violence and threatening people," he said. Protestant Bishop Narayan Sharma of the Believers´ Church, told UCA News on Sept. 16 that although the arrest may bring relief to Christians, many still believe that persecution in Nepal will not end. "We know from the Bible that Christians had to suffer at the hands of the kings, while in present times we are suffering at the hands of people like Mainali," Bishop Sharma said. "He (Mainali) has not been operating all by himself and has the backing of influential people," he alleged. "He had once challenged the authorities to come to his house and arrest him, however the authorities kept mum," he said in evidence of his charge. The NDA, whose ranks include former soldiers, former policemen and victims of Maoist guerrillas, advocates Nepal´s restoration as a Hindu nation. The government, formed after King Gyanendra Shah was forced to relinquish power in 2006, declared the former Hindu country secular as one of its first moves, clearing the way for the rebel Maoists to come in from the cold and join the government. The NDA has also been blamed for the murder of Salesian Father John Prakash Moyalan in June 2008. It has claimed responsibility for a mosque bomb blast in eastern Nepal in April 2008 that killed three people as well as a number of bombings in 2007, including that of a Maoist office in Kathmandu.
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