Rudra Gurung, 36, of Gaindakot-7 in Nawalparasi district, had admitted himself to Unity Rehabilitation Centre in Bharatpur-7 of Chitwan district Tuesday. Rudra´s family was informed about his death Thursday morning.[break]
"Just two days after my brother was admitted to the rehabilitation centre, we were told that he suddenly died of illness," said Prakash Gurung, Rudra´s younger brother. The rehabilitation centre operators had told Prakash that Rudra died while being rushed to Bharatpur Hospital.
When he, along with other family members and relatives, reached the hospital, Prakash saw a cut in Rudra´s head. "When we carefully observed the body, we saw several cuts," Prakash said. "We concluded that my brother did not die of natural causes. He was thrashed to death."
Police have arrested three employees of the rehabilitation centre -- Suman Sunar, Upal Gurung and Rajiv Shrestha -- following Rudra´s death. However, police say the owners of the rehabilitation centre, including Rakesh Shrestha, have fled after the incident.
According to DSP Ravi Paudel, all the arrested employees have admitted to beating Rudra to death.
Local people and Rudra´s relatives on Friday demonstrated in front of the District Police Office, Chitwan, demanding strict action against the guilty, closure of unregulated rehabilitation centers and compensation to the victim´s family.
Lok Bahadur Gurung, 57, a relative of Rudra´s who was also admitted there just last month, says that the owners and employees of the rehabilitation centre repeatedly beat up Rudra to death.
According to Lok Bahadur, Rudra -- who became homesick -- started crying Wednesday morning. Two of the owners of the rehabilitation centre, Rajiv Sapkota and Santosh Sunar, tied Rudra´s hands and feet, saying that he would otherwise disturb other employees and patients.
Once freed, Rudra started crying again. He was then dunked in a puddle of dirty water. In the afternoon, Rudra started crying again, making the owners of the rehabilitation center irritated. He was beaten again with bamboo sticks.
After dinner in the night, while preparing to sleep, Rudra accidentally tumbled a bucket filled with urine. Then he was beaten by the in-charge of the center, Suman Sunar, deputy in-charge Upal Pun and Rajesh Shrestha, one of the owners.
"My brother wanted to live a good life, regretting what he did to his family by indulging in alcoholism," said Prakash. "But he was killed instead of getting treatment." A painter by profession, Rudra was living with his wife Maya and two children.
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