Premier Promises Justice for Cathedral Attack

A day of prayer for the two victims of the explosion in the Church of the Assumption. The Prime Minister is present along with political figures and representatives from other Protestant Churches.

KATHMANDU (AsiaNews) - Nepal's new Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar, was among participants at a special celebration yesterday in Kathmandu's Assumption Cathedral for the two victims of Saturdays bomb attack.

300 people gathered in the church that was the scene of an attack that cost the lives of 15 year old student Celeste Joseph, and 30 year old Deepa Patrik. The congregation included figures from Nepal's political parties and representatives from the Protestant Community.

Mass, at 9 in the morning, was celebrated by Fr. Shilas Bogati, the same priest who was officiating when the blast, claimed by the Hindu fundamentalist group Nepal Defence Army occurred the day before.

Madhav Kumar, leader of the Communist Marxist and Leninist Party of Nepal condemned the "abominable attack" and urged the minority Christian and Muslim communities to be vigilant.

The newly appointed prime minister took up the post this weekend after a political crisis that threatened the stability of budding Nepalese democracy. One of his first acts was to set up an inquiry into the attack to bring those responsible to justice.

Leaders of different Churches in Nepal have asked the government to increase security measures for Christians in the country. In order to impress their plight upon the Constitutional Assembly, they have called a peaceful rally for Sunday May 31st, inviting all the religions present in Nepal to take part.

Saturday's attack also left many wounded. Chirendra Satyal, spokesperson for Nepal's Catholics says "the condition of the two worst injured, Buddha Laxmi Joseph and Sun Maya Tamang, are stable". The former is the mother of 15 year old Celeste who died in the attack.

Relatives, on seeing that her condition is critical, have decided to wait before holding the funeral of the young student. The body of Deepa Patrik has instead has been transferred to the woman's native city Patna in India.