Activist Ruby Khan breaks fast after 11 days

Human rights activist Rubi Khan has broken her fast after 11 days following the government’s decision to form an investigation committee to look into the death of Nankutri Dhobi of Newaji village and the missing case of Nirmala Kurmi. 

Khan broke her fast after a six-member probe committee was formed in coordination with Hiralal Regmi, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs. Khan and a group of activists who walked from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu to get justice have stopped their protests after the committee was formed to investigate the death of Nankutri Dhobi and the missing Nirmala Kurmi. 

The six-member investigation committee consists of Superindent of Police Ram Prakash Shah, Deputy Investigation Director of National Investigation Department Birendra Singh Karki, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Ram Prasad Lamsal, Mohammed Sher Baghwan of Banke, and a team of a representative members of the District Administration Office Banke.

Khan including 13 other activists have been demanding legal actions against the culprits behind the murder of Dhobi and the missing of Nirmala Kurmi. They walked for 20 days from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu and had been fasting in Maitighar as part of their protest. 

Prior to their arrival in Kathmandu, Khan and other activists had staged a sit-in protest in front of the District Police Office of Nepalgunj for 19 days. 

Dhobi who had been facing domestic violence from her husband Ram Kumar Dhobi and his family for dowry was found dead by hanging herself at her house on July 20. The Dhobi couple had also not beared a single offspring despite being married for seven years. Nankutri Dhobi was also the third wife of Ram Kumar Dhobi. According to the police, the postmortem reports showed signs of suicide. However, the activists have claimed the suicide to be a murder stating that Dhobi had bruises on her body. 

Similarly, Nirmala Kurmi has been missing since November. The activist group had filed a case of kidnapping, taking hostage, and murder against 12 individuals including Nepali Congress leader Badshah Kurmi, Krishna Murari Singh, Kunwar Babban Singh, Urmila Kanojiya, Ammar Lal Kurmi, Dhirendra Singh, Ramesh Thapa, and Parwati Bista.

The women rights activists have claimed NC leader Badshah Kurmi of being the culprit behind the missing of Nirmal Kurmi. In the complaint, it was mentioned that leader Kurmi had been abducted, held hostage, and killed Nirmal Kurmi. 

Nirmala Kurmi used to live alone after losing her husband and her two sons. Leader Badshah Kurmi, who was also a neighbor abused her and confiscated five bighas of land worth tens of millions of rupees which were in the names of her late husband and sons.

Nirmal Kurmi had also requested the District Administration Office to get the papers back. Following the incident, Badshah Kurmi had beaten Nirmala in public.