The government's decision to promote NA officer Raju Basnet despite the prime minister's earlier assurances has raised suspicion about the whole incident. The victims and the families of those disappeared from Maharajganj barrack had met PM Bhattarai and requested him not to promote Basnet. He had agreed that Basnet's fate would be decided by the truth commission, whenever it was formed. Chairman Dahal was also present during the discussion.

Campaigning against Basnet's promotion was not easy. I was threatened on many occasions, but I did not let the intimidation deter me. It is sad that our leader, the prime minister has let us down. If he could not bring Raju Basnet to books, he could have at least not rewarded him for torturing, raping, and killing his own comrades.

When I came to know about the decision, I called Bhattarai, but he said he would explain to me later. I hear Basnet was promoted because he threatened to go public with names of top NA brass involved in the incident.