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KATHMANDU, NEPAL, May 6, 2005: Narayan Pokharel, president of the Nepal branch of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, died when six gunmen opened fire in the district of Rupandehi. No one has admitted carrying out the attack. However, police say the manner in which it was carried out hints at the involvement of Maoist rebels. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has its headquarters in neighboring India and has branches all over the world. The incident happened in Dudrakshya village in Rupandehi district, some 300km (185 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu, where Mr. Pokharel was attending a religious function. Reports said that the gunmen came on motorcycles and shot at Mr. Pokharel outside the guest house where he was staying. Maoist rebels in Nepal have been fighting for a communist republic for the past 10 years.



Express India reports: Suspected Maoist rebels on Friday shot dead a top Hindu priest and injured one of his aides in western Nepal while he was performing a religious ceremony at a temple. Narayan Prasad Pokharel, president of Nepal chapter Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was gunned down around 0630 hrs at Ram Nagar near Butwal, 300 kms southwest of Kathmandu, sources in the organization said, adding one of his associates was wounded in the attack. His body will be airlifted to Kathmandu for last rites, they said. Pokarel, 50, was performing a yagna, fire worship, to raise money for a local college. The rebels have not claimed responsibility for the attack.

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