Bogus earthquake victims to be booked

Ramechhap, December 29

Authorities in Ramechhap have launched an investigation into fake earthquake victims, who managed to secure earthquake victim identity cards and relief by forging phony details.

Acting on the complaints of genuine victims, investigation into over 1,000 fake victim families has begun. They have been asked to present themselves at the administration office for clarification.

“We’ve received complaints, verbally and in writing, about many families receiving earthquake victims identity card and the government relief amount of Rs 15,000 unscrupulously,” said Chief District Officer Shesh Narayan Poudel.

According to Poudel, a notice has also been issued to the false victims to reimburse the relief amount to the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Rescue Fund’s account.

“If the fake victims oblige us as per the notice, we are ready not to disclose their names. Otherwise, we will file cases against them and deprive them of state facilities in future,” the CDO said.

Meanwhile, victims of Those, Chuchure and Daduwa VDCs in the district have received the government-allocated relief of Rs 10,000 for winter clothes. The administration said other VDCs would be provided with the relief amount shortly.