They have sought action against the perpetrators

Surkhet, August 15

Families of three persons killed during the intact mid-west agitation in Surkhet today said they would not accept the bodies unless the government agreed to keep the mid-west intact and make Surkhet the provincial Capital.

Organising a press meet in Birendranagar today, family members of those killed also sought action against mid-western regional police chief DIGP Kesav Adhikary, Surkeht CDO Baldev Gautam, and Surkhet police Chief Lal Karna. They demanded that the government form a high-level probe committee to investigate the incident.

Other demands include martyrs’ status for the deceased, naming of the provinces after their names, and jobs for their family members. Three persons were killed in a demonstration demanding intact mid-west six days ago.

Surkhet DAO admitted that Tikaram Gautam and Yam Bahadur BC were killed in the agitation, however, it refuted that Goplasingh Rajwar was killed during demonstration. Family members and relatives claimed that Rajwar was beaten to death by police at Mangalgadhi Chowk.

The family members refused to receive the bodies after DAO denied that Rajwar was killed during the agitation. Yam Bahadur’s brother Bakhat Bahadur demanded that the government to compensate the kin of the deceased.

The victims’ family members and relatives vented ire at the political parties for their apathy toward the intact mid-west agitation. They sought one million rupees in reparation for each family of the deceased and refused to collect the bodies until their demands were met.

Locals staged rallies in Surkhet and Jajarkot demanding to keep mid-west undivided and declare Surkhet the provincial capital. Political parties have been leading the agitation in both districts.

Meanwhile, the bandh continued in Rukum and Salyan to protest their split in the six province model today as well. Jumla remained shut on the seventh consecutive day seeking a separate Karnali state.