Kanchhi Maya Tamang, a local, admitted that she sold one of her kidneys for Rs 100,000 in India to educate her two sons. Reportedly, the number of kidney sellers in the region has crossed 75. “I felt bad when I had no money to send my children to school, while those of my neighbors attended English medium schools. The only thing I could do was sell my kidney so that I could send them to good school," Tamang, who works for a brick factory, said. Though Tamang has now spent all her money, the only thing she repents is that her sons didn´t fare well in studies. They now go to a government school.
Ganga Bahadur Tamang of Jaisithok-7 also shares a similar story. "I went to India and settled for Rs 200,000 for a kidney. But all I received was a meager Rs 20,000. I was thrashed when I demanded the promised amount. So, I returned without protesting to save my life," Ganga Bahadur says.
Similarly, Mandhwaj Tamang of Panchkhal-7 sold his kidney some six years ago. While Hari Bahadur Kunwar of Jyamdi-6 was compelled to sell his for Rs 40,000 in Chennai when he wasn´t offered the job he was promised by the agents. "I didn´t complain for I was myself responsible for inviting the tragedy. Moreover, I knew nobody would have come to my support, "Kunwar said.
Another woman, Bijula Pariyar, 35, of Jaisithok-7, Jhagaredanda, was duped by agent of Trishuli, Nuwakot, who took her to India promising a job. "Once in India, the agent led me into selling one of my kidneys. I was promised Rs 85,000. But all I got was Rs 60, 000," the mother of five recalls. She said that she couldn´t sleep without alcohol and now regrets selling it.
Gokul Nepali of Timal Mechhe had to part with his kidney after an agent took him to India promising him a job in Qatar. "He cannot work like he used to, regularly falls ill and is on medications," complained his wife who knew of the tragedy when he returned home six months later.
The trend initiated by Krishna Tamang who sold his kidney 18 years ago continues till date. Seven people have lost their lives after selling their kidneys. Mohan Sapkota of Hokse-1, who sold his kidney 16 years ago, has opened an association of kidney victims but other victims claim that he himself is into the kidney racket now.
"The number of victims has gone up because the man who supposedly worked to raise awareness is himself into the kidney racket," claimed Badri Dhungana, a local teacher who is campaigning against kidney trade.
Dhungana complained that the local administration was indifferent about rising kidney trade in the area. "The law forbids one to donate kidney to persons outside immediate relation, but the government has failed to strictly implement the law. And the local administration doesn´t seem to care either," Dhungana rues.
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