Widows of Ganesh Gautam and Tej Prasad Gautam, of Thulo Sirubari VDC-4; Tika Dutta Dulal, Jhalak Bahadur Dulal and Bhakta Lal Dulal of Thulo Sirubari VDC-5, who were allegedly detained and later killed by the Nepal Army for their alleged involvement in ´the people´s government´ set up by the Maoists during the insurgency, have arrived at the district headquarters to press the local authorities for compensation.[break]
Bal Kumari Dulal, Amrita Kumari Gautam, Jhalak Kumari Dulal, Dev Kumari Dulal and Bishnu Kumari Gautam have filed a joint application at the District Administration Office (DAO) of Sindhupalchok for compensation as recommended by National Human Rights Council (NHRC) over 10 years after the killings of their husbands.
Although one more person -- Chhiring Tamang of Sano Sirubari VDC-6 in Sindhupalchok district -- was also allegedly killed in the same incident, his wife has not joined the widows as she remains out of contact.
Earlier, the government had provided Rs 300,000 to each family of the six victims as relief money allocated to war victims. However, NHRC has recommended that the government provide Rs 300,000 more to the family of each victim. In its 2011 report prepared following a field visit, NHRC has also asked the government to probe the incident and take action against those involved.
Bal Kumari Gautam, one of the five widows, says they waited for compensation recommended by the NHRC for one year now. She says they had to take up their issue on their own as the government never bothered about releasing compensation money.
Upon receiving the applications of the victims´ widows, assistant Chief District Officer (CDO) of Sindhupalchowk, Omkar Prasad Neupane, has assured them that he would follow up the case and take necessary steps.
On May 1, 2002, a group of NA soldiers deployed from Chuatara had allegedly detained six people who they believed were members of the people´s government. They were later tied to a tree and shot dead by the NA soldiers. The killings of six villagers, including 70-year-old Tika Dutta, had then created a furor not only in the country but also in the international community.
Related story
The Woes of Single Women and Senior Citizens
