Villagers live in groups after youth's killing

ITAHARI, May 10:  Residents of Hansposa wards 5 and 8 of Sunsari district are living in groups out of fear after the brutal slaying of a youth three days ago in a fight between youths of the two wards. They also sleep in groups out of fear.



The series of violence between youths of the two wards started three months ago after the killing of Ujuru Chaudhari of ward 5 by youths of Bisanpur locality of ward 8. Last Thursday, Binod Chaudhary, 18, of Amaha village was killed after a clash between youths of the two wards. [break]



After his killing, villagers fear more violence and are living in groups, according to Madhu Kunwar of Bisanpur.



Locals have stopped walking along the common road that divides the two wards.



“Unless social harmony is created between residents of the two villages and an environment is not created for living with ease, anything can happen to anyone,” said Kunwar, who has padlocked his house and is living with a group.



Kunwar, who earns living by pulling a rickshaw, is planning to leave the village if the situation does not improve.



Compared to residents of Amaha village, resident of Bisanpur are more terrified as they fear retaliation following the hacking to death of Chaudhari. Youths of the two villages had clashed for two hours, armed with rods and khukuris.



With villagers living, moving around and sleeping in groups, domestic livestock is not being taken care of.



“Nothing is more important than life. I have sent family members to relatives´ places for safety,” said Krishnalal Kunwar, 80, of Bisanpur. “If they kill me, it doesn´t matter as I have lived my life,” he added.



Children of Bisanpur did not go to the Shree Jabdi Secondary School on Sunday owing to fear.



Said Surya Shrestha, a fourth grader, “I won´t go to the school in Amaha. They will kill me. I will get admitted to another school.”



Police say a 24-hour vigilance is being kept to prevent another violent incident. But locals are not feeling secure.



Family members of slain Chaudhari are inconsolable. His mother Thaliyadevi Chaudhari, grandmother Chechi and sister Manisha are crushed by grief.



Chaudhari was the sole breadwinner of the family after his father´s death a year ago. Chaudhari had appeared in this year´s SLC exams.

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