Rajbiraj, October 24

At a time when the entire Tarai is preparing to celebrate one of their greatest festivals Chhath, a family at Bishnupur Rural Municipality-1, Saptari is observing death ritual of a member who disappeared 16 years ago in the district.

The family of Saroj Kumar Yadav is observing the death ritual of Saroj’s brother, Binod Kumar Yadav, for the past 16 years, whose whereabouts remain unknown since decade-long insurgency.

Then state army, it is alleged, is responsible for his disappearance. “As the state didn’t give us satisfactory answer for 16 years, we decided to observe his death rites as per Hindu custom from October 13. We heard that he was shot dead by the Nepali Army after his forced disappearance, but the state didn’t provide his body for one-and-a-half decade. Hence, we had no option but to observe mourning by preparing a human-shaped body from sacred grass known as kush,” said Saroj.

Bachiya Devi, Binod’s mother said no political leader came to inquire even though they started observing the death ritual. She recalled the arrival of then senior Maoist leaders, along with her son, during the insurgency period. “We were vigilant about safeguarding Maoist leaders as we feared the army or police could raid the house. The same leaders are in top most positions now, but they have paid no heed to our woes,” She lamented. She said the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons also didn’t listen despite their several requests. Her husband Dashan Lal Yadav was killed in Police firing during the People’s Movement II in 2006.

Saroj said all the four siblings of his family were jobless and tired of frequenting the capital seeking employment as per the leaders’ advice. “We met prime ministers, ministers and leaders in this regard, but in vain.