Kathmandu, May 28:

Over a month has passed since the Jana Andolan ended with the reinstatement of the House of Representatives. However, hundreds of people who were injured during the 19-day historic protests are living miserable lives. The injured, who have been discharged from different hospitals and who are not in a condition to work, are roaming in the streets in search of food and shelter.

“Politicians, who assumed power after the successful culmination of the people’s movement, left us high and dry,” said Prachanda Pokhrel, one of the injured youths from Kirtipur.

He said the leaders who had made promises before the formation of the government have turned their backs to the people who really helped them.

So much so, no prominent political leader appeared in a programme organised today at Gongabu to felicitate the injured freedom-fighters and families of the martyrs.

Locals of Gongabu have also set up a lodge for the injured who cannot return to their homes immediately. Currently, 12 injured people are living there for free.

They have formed a Jana Andolan Martyrs and Injured Welfare Forum to operate the lodge.

Kailash Timilsina, chairman of the forum, said they have received support from Rehdon College and Binayak Hospital. “We have been seeking support for the injured fighters, but nobody wants to know how they are doing,” he said. He said the forum sought support from the government and political leaders but none of them could help.

He said the locals and injured youths from Gongabu would take to the streets if the government ignored their plight.

Jaya Tamrakar, mother of Sagun Tamrakar, a martyr, said the government is not looking after the martyrs’ families properly. “My son was my the sole bread earner and I lost him during the movement. I don’t have even a citizenship certificate. Who will help me?” she said.