As written by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal on 22 April” 2012

DHANGADI” April 22: A forest encroacher on Saturday attacked a forest conservation campaigner severely injuring both her hands for erecting a fence around a proposed community forest in Malakheti-6.

Hari Bhat attacked Nanda Devi Kunwar while she was erecting a fence around even as the chairman of the proposed Madhumalati Community Forest was mobilizing around 50-60 persons to erect a fence in Malakheti-2.

Bhat attacked Kunwar with a sickle. “He suddenly aimed for my throat with a sickle. I got my hands injured while trying to avoid the attack”” Kunwar said at the Padma Hospital in Attariya.

“I had raised Rs 250 from every household to erect a fence around the forest”” she said” adding that she had no personal animosity with Bhat. She claimed that Bhatt and around 10 others” who had encroached on the forest land and sowed lentils.

Bhat who had been arrested for encroaching on the forest land had been detained for three days in the Area Forest Office” Malakheti.

Chief of the Area Forest Office Bhairab Ghimire said Bhat and two others were released after they made a written commitment to not encroach on the forest land.

Inspector at Area Police office” Malakheti Krishna Nanda Bhatta” said search is on for the absconding assaulter.