Khotang, April 25

Jamuna Rai, a conflict victim of Jantedhunga Rural Municipality, Khotang, has reached out to the local peace committee of the district to receive the relief she was entitled to but was reportedly misappropriated by a local political leader.

Jamuna’s husband Lal Bahadur Tamang was murdered about 13 years ago during the Maoist insurgency. According to her, local UML leader Bidur Rai duped her and pocketed Rs 430,000 of the five lakh rupees she had received as relief.

“I had to wait for ten years to get the relief. I cannot read or write, so when they gave me the cheque, I did not know what to do with it. Rai told me to put my finger impression on it and let him handle the rest, and then took most of the relief himself,” she said, filing an application with the committee seeking help in reimbursing the embezzled amount.

Ever since the murder of her husband, Jamuna has been caring for her five children on her own.

UML leader Rai could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, a meeting held at the peace committee office has decided to request the administration to investigate Jamuna’s allegation and take action against Bidur if found guilty.