Nepal's Muslim society demands martyrdom for blast victims

Kathmandu, Apr 1 (UNI) Nepal Muslim Civil Society (NMCS) and proprietors of six mosques here demanded that the government declare those killed in the mosque blasts as martyrs and warned to launch an agitation if their demands were not met within three days.

''We demand compensation to the bereaved families, guarantee of education and employment for the children of those killed and security to mosques in other parts of the country,'' the Kantipur quoted NMCS chairman Hassan Ansari as saying at a press conference in the blast site in Biratnagar today.

Two persons were killed and two others sustained injuries after three bombs hurled by activists of the Nepal Defense Army, supporter of royals went off inside the Mosque premises on Saturday.

''The attack on the Mosque by the regressive elements, who don't want the CA poll to happen, has not only targeted the Muslim community, but is against humanity,'' he said.

He said they had already sent their demands to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula via Chief District Officer yesterday.

Reiterating that the whole Muslim community is supporting the holding of the timely CA poll, Mr Ansari, however, assured that their agitation, if launched, would not affect it (poll) whatsoever.

''Our agitation will be only against such terrorism,'' he said.

UNI XC SLD DS1413