Maoist supremo Prachanda was today slapped by a young activist, believed to be a supporter of his own party, in full public view. The incident took place during a tea reception hosted by 57-year-old Prachanda's UCPN (Maoist) party to mark the festivals of 'Deepawali', 'Chhath' and Nepalese New Year here. A 25-year-old youth, identified as Pawan Kunwar from Baglung district of western Nepal, slapped Prachanda at the function, according to eye witnesses. Prachanda's spectacles flew off his face after he was slapped, they said. Soon after, Maoist cadres attacked Kunwar, who got seriously injured, before police took him into custody.
