Source: news.bbc.co.uk
NEPAL, September 7, 2009: Nepal has expressed regret over an attack on Friday on two Indian priests by protesters at one of Nepal’s holiest Hindu sites, the Pashupatinath temple. Culture Minister Minendra Rijal said the priests’ attackers would be found and punished.
Flanked by helmeted police, the two priests from southern India went through the rituals necessary for their first day at the temple in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. Police said they cordoned off the area to prevent possible violence.
Now the Nepalese authorities say they have taken steps to ensure the safety of the priests and resolve the problem. They have appealed to the protesters to co-operate with the government in maintaining harmony. It is obvious that they want to avoid any diplomatic fallout with India because of the incident. But it is not clear whether the Maoists will listen.