Khara conflict victims demand justice

Rukum, April 25

The families of 15 persons who were killed by the state army at Khara of Rukum on February 23, 2000, filed a combined complaint at the office of Truth and Reconciliation Commission today.

The families filed complaints at the commission through Khalanga-based Local Peace Committee Rukum.

In addition, 14 other families of those who were killed by both the state and the insurgents during the conflict also filed their complaints separately.

A single woman Ratika Oli of Khara, who came to file a combined complaint, said that her husband Tribhan Oli and eldest son were killed while staying at home by the state army accusing them of being rebels.

Her husband Tribhan was Nepali Congress village unit President.

“Though I filed the complaint, I am doubtful I will get justice. After my husband and son were killed, I had a hard time managing two meals a day.

My youngest son was just three. He has quit his studies for want of financial support and gone abroad for employment,” she said.

Security forces had killed as many as 15 persons on the spot in anger after a Maoist killed a policeman on February 23, 2000. Besides that, the security force had torched as many as 172 houses and sheds in the village.

Sixty-five-year-old Parbati Khadka of Khara-5, has also lodged complaint. Parbati has been looking after her grand daughter after security personnel killed her in-law Deurupi Khatri while going to collect fodder.

All the victims have a common voice: They want the guilty to be punished and proper justice be given to them.

Ram Kali Khadka of Khara said security personnel shot her husband Dil Bahadur Khadka a few days after she tied the knot with him and torched their house. “Though it is too late, I am hopeful of getting justice,” she said.