Rautahat agitators protest with body of victim

RAUTAHAT: Leaders and cadres of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) and National Muslim Struggle Alliance (NMSA) protested in front of the District Administration Office, Rautahat, after a protester died yesterday.

They demanded that Shekh Mairudin be declared a martyr, his kin be provided with due compensation and the family members offered jobs and the official who ordered the shooting be punished.

Chief District Officer Narahari Baral informed that the District Administration Office would speak only after a meeting of the District Security Committee today.

Mairudin (50) from Akolawa-5 of Rautahat district had received a bullet on his genitals from police at Kabir Chok of Gaur on September 13 last year, just a week before promulgation of the Constitution, and was taken to the District Hospital.

He was later referred to the Bigunj-based Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital and the Capital-based Bir Hospital.

According to the family sources, he was discharged from the Kathmandu-based hospital around 45 days ago after his health gradually improved.

However, Mairudin complained of pain after a couple of days. The family hence had taken him to the Bigunj-based health facility again. He was at the hospital till he was declared dead at around 11 am yesterday.

NMSA coordinator Sheikh Jikurula accused that even though the government expressed its commitment for the free treatment to the injured, negligence and lack of money were to be blamed for Mairudin’s death.