HETAUDA: Communist leader Bal Kumari Thapa passed away today. She was 76. A heart patient since long, she died in course of treatment at Hetauda Hospital.

According to Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Makawanpur district chairperson Munu Sigdel, leader Thapa, a permanent resident of Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City-17 was then CPN (UML) central advisor and also known as the shelter provider to the party’s leaders during the Panchayat era when the party was banned and most of the leaders were underground to avoid persecution by the regime.

Thapa had provided shelter to then CPN (UML) senior leaders including Madan Bhandari, Jeevraj Ashrit, CP Mainali, Pradeep Nepal and Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Bagmati State chief Minister Dormani Poudel and NCP leaders have reached her residence to pay her last tribute. According to family sources, her last rites would be performed today itself.