The only federation of Dalit NGOs ” Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) formally split following its third national conference held at Pokhara on June 9 and 10.

We were compelled to expel them as they tried to elect the regressive elements forcefully once again, said Moti Lal Nepali, the president of the DNF, which was formed following the conflict during the national conference.

Addressing a press meet held here, Nepali said the third national conference has elected a 15-member committee of the DNF.

Newly elected general secretary Rem Biswokarma said the committee has padlocked the office of the DNF and asked respective banks to stop transaction from their bank accounts. Besides, the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu has also been informed about the new committee, he said. He added that many of the members were warned not to contest the election.

Biswokarma claimed they had demanded that the regressive forces and anti-democratic people of the organisation should not come in the executive committee. The election was conducted at 2 am in the absence of the election officer Bishnu Kushal Bhujel, he added.

Out of 144 members of the DNF, 80 are with us. The new committee comprises Resham Pariyar as vice-president, Birendra Biswokarma as secretary and Laxmi Pariyar as treasurer. Sher Bahadur Parki, Bimala BK, Sanju Singh Biswokarma, Maniram Dewal, Binod Bisunkhe, Buddhi Paswan, Nar Bahadur Gandharva, Sita Pariyar, Durga Bahadur Darji and Nirmala Badi are panel members.