Surkhet, August 26 :

People who were forced from their homes and compelled to lead a displaced life in Birendranagar have demanded compensation as well as severe action against those who have forced them out.

The displaced people put forward such demands at an interaction on ‘Importance of reunion and building confidence in present situation,’ organised by Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Nepalgunj, in Birendranagar today.

One Nayan Singh Pulami of Lekhgaun-6 said he lost one of his legs due to the Maoists and demanded for appropriate compensation.

He said: “The Maoists had beaten me up mercilessly for being a member of drinking water management committee and school management committee after which I lost my leg. I didn’t receive any compensation whatsoever. I should be given compensation and also action should be taken against the culprits.” Pulami said the Maoists ruined his whole life.

Mann Keshar Koirala of Narayan Municipality-3 Dailekh said Maoists had killed his 18-year-old son for filling up a form to join police.

He added that the Maoists didn’t even let him perform his son’s last rites. He, too, demanded compensation.

Karna Bahadur Budhamagar of Lekhparajul VDC-5 has been displaced to Birendranagar since 2000 for refusing to give donation to Maoists. He said they should be given compensation for the period since they left their homes. Chhabilal Sigdel of Bidhyapur said they still lacked confidence to return to their homes.

Programme advisor of INSEC Kamlesh DC presented a research paper on ‘Reintegration and importance of peace.’

Other speakers in the programme, including representatives of political parties and civil society, said the agreements reached between political parties and Maoists should be implemented properly and an environment for the displaced to return to their homes must be built.