Apparently under pressure following the outcry over their assault on two Indian priests,the Maoists have withdrawn their ongoing agitation in the Pashupatinath temple but will stage "peaceful protests". The Maoists' agitation for installing local priests in Pashupatinath took a violent turn on Friday when a group of 40-50 cadres stormed the temple and severely thrashed two Indian priests,also tearing their clothes and sacred threads. The Maoist-affiliated Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee (PAJSC) has withdrawn the agitation at the temple premises from yesterday citing "inconvenience caused to devotees," officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust,which manages the affairs of the 5th century shrine,said. The committee,however,said "peaceful protests" will be held after deliberation on the issue within it. It said the stir would continue till its members,who were arrested during the protest,are released. The attack on the two priests - Raghavendra Bhatta and Girish Bhatta - provoked all-round outrage with both Indian and Nepal government slamming it. Major political parties,including the Terai-based Madhesi outfits,have also deplored the incident.
