Govt to provide Rs 1 million to victim’s kin in relief

Jhapa, October 28

Jhapa’s Biratmod that remained tense yesterday over the ‘murder’ of an eleven-year-old Laxman Siwakoti a few weeks ago returned to normalcy following a meeting among the representatives of political parties, kin of the deceased’s family and chief district officer of Jhapa today.

Naresh Thapa, 30, of Arjundhara municipality-11 lost his life in police firing during yesterday’s protest. Today’s meeting held at the area police office of Anarmani decided to provide 1 million rupees in relief to Thapa’s family. Similarly, while Birtamod municipality and district coordination committee of Jhapa each decided to provide Rs 25,000 in funeral expenses, the municipality has pledged to look after the education of the deceased’s kids and offer a job to Thapa’s wife. Besides, the meeting, in view of the demand of the family of the ‘murdered’ kid, decided to launch additional investigation into the alleged murder.Surunga, October 28

Naresh Thapa, 30, who hailed from Arjundhara Municipality of Jhapa was killed in police firing during a protest rally organised by locals demanding action against those involved in the ‘killing’ of Laxman Shiwakoti from the same locality on September 30.

As per the meeting, Birtamod Municipality and District Coordination Committee, Jhapa, will provide Rs 25,000 each to the bereaved family. Likewise, Birtamod Chamber of Commerce and Industry would give Rs 10,000 to the family. Besides, the meeting made an arrangement for providing job to his spouse at the municipal office, according to Superintendent of Police Bishnu Thapa at District Police Office, Jhapa.

The meeting also decided to urge for investigation into the alleged involvement of Deputy Superintendent of Police Raj Kumar Silwal at Area Police Office, Anarmani  in the firing and for a probe into the death of Siwakoti under dubious circumstances. He had gone missing on September 30 and his body was found the next day.

The deceased’s uncle Bishnu Prasad Shiwakoti had filed a complaint with police accusing eight persons including one Shuresh Pokharel of Birtamod Municipality-5, of murdering his nephew.

Chief District Officer, Rishiram Tiwari, Superintendent of Police Bishnu KC, and Mayor of Birtamod Municipality Dhruba Kumar Shivakoti , among others, were present in today’s meeting. The meeting has appealed all concerned for calm. Birtamod had remained tense yesterday after the death of the protesting youth, prompting the local administration to impose curfew in the area yesterday.

The curfew  still continues in the violence area. The district security committee will meet again to assess the security situation of the area before deciding whether the curfew should be lifted.