Pokhara, May 25

Victims of the Second People’s Movement in Kaski have lamented that the government failed to recognise their contribution during the movemnent for democracy.

A total of 145 persons were injured in police firing and thrashing during the people’s movement. Though the home ministry had, at that time, arranged for the treatment of seriously injured, the state has not followed up on their cases.

In the district, seven injured during the people’s movement require regular treatment, but are forced to live with pain as they don’t have money for the treatment of their injuries.

Bhim Bahadur Nepali of Sukumbasi Tole in Pokhara, who had his spinal cord broken during the second people’s movement, has been postponing his treatment. “Doctor has told me that removing rod from my right leg and treatment of veins will cost me around 1 lakh rupees, which I don’t have,” Nepali said.

“I approached the chief minister’s office and a few ministries in the province and also the municipality office but to no avail. Nobody would help me,” he lamented, adding he had to quit his job due to his poor physical condition.

He has six other members in his family.

Another injured of the people’s movement, Netrapani Subedi of Kaski Tole, who got his back broken during the popular uprising, has been bed-ridden for years. “I’d been providing for my family by working as a wage labourer.

But ever since I went flat on my back, my family has been left in the lurch,” he said.

Subedi said the government-provided treatment expense was insufficient to cover his treatment cost. “We fought for change but nothing has happened to us. Only the leaders and their henchmen benefited from the political change in the country,” he said.

According to People’s Movement Martyrs’ Families and Injured Coordination Committee Kaski Chair Shekhar Gautam, they are covering the treatment expenses of those having sustained minor injuries with the little amount collected as interest on the fund donated by various organisations.

The fund has total Rs 580,000, according to Gautam.

“We’ve time and against written to the provincial ministry concerned for help for treatment of the seriously injured, but to no avail,” he said.

Secretary at Gandaki Province Internal Affairs and Law Ministry, Manohar Khanal argued that providing budget for the treatment of those injured in the Second People’s Movement was beyond the jurisdiction of the ministry.