Conditions of refugees on fast onto death deteriorating

JHAPA, Nov 25: Health conditions of women refugees, who have been staging fast unto death at Damak Beldangi-2 for the last 10 days, has been deteriorating. Refugee women at the camp accused the authorities of taking no initiatives toward ending their fast.



State Minister for Home Affairs Bhim Raj Chaudhari Rajbansi, was expected to visit the camp on Thursday to break the fast. “The state minister was expected to visit the camp but he didn´t turn up,” said Durga Devi Bista, a protestor. [break]



Twelve refugee women have been on a fast demanding that the authorities provide them identity cards. They say lack of identity cards has deprived them of relief packages to be distributed to the refugees from donor agencies.



There are 2,749 refugees without identity cards in the camp. They said that they will break their fast only after the home minister makes a written commitment to fulfill their demand.



“We don´t need assurances. We need identity and relief package,” said the agitating women.



Chandra Kala Khadka and Renu Magar have been continuing fast unto death even as they have been admitted to a local hospital.



However, Assistant Chief District Officer Yogendra Dulal claimed initiatives have been taken to address their demand.

Related story

78 – year – old on fast – onto – death demanding road in villag...