Sukha Ram Chaudhary, 23, of Fulbari-3, Kailali; Bam Bahadur Chaudhary, 30, of Hasuliya-1, Kailali; Manoj Chaudhary, 17, of Masuriya-7, Kailali; Dhan Bahadur Khati, 23, of Kalimati Thamse, Salyan; and Sher Bahadur Adhikari of Punma-2, Jajarkot had died on the spot and 12 other Nepalis injured when climbing on the roof of passenger bus in Bikashnagar of Uttarakhand in India Sunday evening. [break]
Cops from Bikashnagar Police Station had brought the bodies to Gaddachauki Monday morning and the bodies were handed over to the relatives who had reached the Nepal-India border after being informed about the incident by Nepal Police.
The Nepalis were going to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh to pick apples like they do every year in this season and 44 had left from Kailali alone. The incident occurred at a place five kilometers before reaching Bikashnagar station as they were going to Dehradoon after leaving Banbasa on Saturday.
“We were boarding another bus after getting off one and were reluctant to climb on the roof,” leader of the group Narayan Chaudhary said. “But the driver said there was no space inside and the conductor started to beat us ordering us to climb on the roof and the high tension wire touched the neck of one while hurrying toward the roof,” Narayan, uncle of the victim Manoj, elaborated. He said the others were electrocuted while trying to save their friend. He said the driver has been absconding after the incident.
The bus was carrying around 16/17 Nepalis from Jajarkot and Salyan apart from the 44 from Kailali. They were boarding the bus to go to Dehradoon. A man had come to Haridwar to take the Nepali workers to Shimla and he returned with around half of the workers after the incident.
Assistant Sub Inspector at the Bikashnagar Police Station Sudhir Kumar, who had come for handing over the bodies, confirmed that only Nepalis had died in the incident and the injured were being treated at a community hospital in Bikashnagar.
Fulpati laments loss of son
Every year, Fulpati Chaudhary would go to Simla in this season to pick apples with the villagers. This year he thought that his son Manoj can earn some money instead of staying at home during the summer vacation and decided to take him along.
“But the greed for more money has ultimately taken my son,” Fulpati said banging his head on the bus. “He is my only son. I had taken him despite resistance of my wife. Now that he is dead what would I tell to my wife?” he asked.
Apple pickers earn around IRS 200 a day in Shimla.
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