412 more dead identified, 32 still unaccounted for in Gorkha

GORKHA, May 11: The condition of 32 people missing after the earthquake remains unknown due to a lack of consistency in rescue and search operations. Efforts to search for the missing have halted in the past four days while another 412 dead bodies have been identified.

Likewise, the task of relief material distribution has not been effective. The families of those killed in the quake haven't received any compensation promised to them by the government. The government had earlier decided to provide Rs. 100,000 to each of the deceased's families.


Chief District Officer (CDO) Uddhav Timilsina on Sunday handed over compensation for the first time to seven families. This fund was allocated by the government to be distributed immediately so as to enable the families to carry out their last rites for their deceased relatives. However, there hasn't been proper distribution of this fund.

Till date, Kale Tamang from Januwari VDC and six other families who lost relatives have received money from the government. Tamang informed that he received the money only after going to the headquarters for three consecutive days.

To get the relief fund provided by the government, victim families have to provide a death registration certificate, relationship certificate with the deceased one, citizenship certificate and deeds of enquiry. The role of VDC secretaries is extremely important in this process. Families have complained that they have not been able to easily acquire the required documents as secretaries are mostly busy in relief distribution and attending meetings of Non Government Organizations (NGOs).

"Some houses are completely destroyed; we may not find the citizenship certificate. We haven't received money even to carry out funeral rites," complained Tamang.

More than 400 people in Gorkha district are yet to receive money to perform funerals for their family members. Some victims in isolated villages don't know that they are entitled to money from the government.

There has been massive destruction in remote villages of Northern Gorkha and a complete record of human casualties is yet to be finalized.

VDC secretaries are awaiting helicopters to access remote villages as they lack road access. One of the secretaries who was at District Development Committee (DDC) said, "It is not possible to walk to the villages as landslides are occuring."

It seems more time will be needed for secretaries to reach these remote communities to prepare deeds of enquiry and police reports.

The government had sent Rs. 100 million to the District Administration Office (DAO) a week ago to immediately distribute it to the victims.

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