Kathmandu, June 17

Human rights activists and conflict victims today staged a sit-in in front of the prime minister’s official residence in Bauwatar, demanding that the government step in to save the life of Ganga Maya Adhikari, who has been staging a hunger strike at Bir Hospital.

Adhikari of Fujel, Gorkha, launched a fast-unto-death on May 29, demanding the arrest of those guilty of her son Krishna Prasad’s murder during the Maoist insurgency on June 6, 2004.

According to Suman Adhikari, adviser at Conflict Victim Common Forum, more than 60 persons, including human rights activists, conflict victims, civil society members and students participated in the sit-in.

Journalist Kanak Mani Dixit said despite adequate evidence, the government had not arrested the culprit. “Ganga Maya has been staging hunger strike for the fourth time seeking justice for her son’s murder. If the government continues to ignore her demand, she will die without getting justice like of her husband,” said Dixit.

In the same way, Indra Aryal, president of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal said that the government should provide justice to Ganga Maya.

Adhikari and her husband, Nanda Prasad, had first begun their hunger strike in front of the prime minister’s official residence in Baluwatar in January 2013.  Nanda Prasad had died on September 22, 2014 after 329 days of fast-unto-death at Bir Hospital.