Dhangadi, May 19 The Council of Ministers’ decision to grant amnesty to those involved in criminal activities during Madhes and the Tharuhat agitations has shocked victims’ families. “We aren’t asking the government to jail the innocent, but can’t remain mute spectators while murderers go scot free,” Sharada Bohara told THT over phone from Kathmandu. Her husband, Keshav Bohara, who was police inspector, was one of those killed in the Tikapur carnage. “How can the government spare anyone who burnt alive a policeman who was on duty?” she asked. The victims’ kin lament that probe panels formed by political parties have done little to assuage their suffering. “My grandson didn’t know anything about the Undivided Far-west Campaign, Tharuhat or anything else. Why did he have to lose his life?” asked Jung Bahadur Saud, grandfather of two-year-old Tek Bahadur Saud, who was also killed in the Tikapur incident. “The government is trying to placate us just by declaring all those killed as martyrs. But we want action against killers,” he added. The child’s mother, Yashoda, said she was awaiting justice. Devaki Bista, who is related to Inspector Balaram Bista, who was killed in the Tikapur tragedy, said, “We looked up to the government for justice. It has ditched us.” Eight persons, including a senior superintendent of Nepal Police and a two-year-old child were killed when supporters of the Tharuhat and Madhes-based parties clashed with each other in Kailali’s Tikapur on August 24, 2015. Police have filed a case of murder against 28 persons in connection with the incident. They have been remanded to Kailali district prison.