RUKUM, Feb 3: "Everything that I had has been spent on my treatment and all that I am left with is a fractured body," said Tara Prasad Khadka, a living martyr of Musikot Municipality-5, Solawang, who is known for his contribution to the 1990 uprising. Since the last few years, Khadka has been struggling even for managing two square meals.

Financial strain has taken toll on his life. Khadka, who became disabled after being shot and beaten by police during the mass movement of 1990, has been roaming around various districts begging for money for his treatment. He has accused the government of neglecting his plights despite his crucial role in the mass movement. 

"I am somehow managing two square meals a day by begging. I don't know how long will I be able to survive this way," laments Khadka. On April 6, 1990, police had shot in his right leg while he attempted vandalilze the statue of King Mahendra in front of Narayanhiti Palace in the capital. Since then, his right leg became paralyzed.

Later, he was arrested and kept at Hanumandhoka. According to him, police tortured him in custody. "I had not fought for myself but for this nation. But it is so disappointing that the government has remained silent about my miseries," said Khadka. Despite being a graduate from Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, he was never offered a job because of his disability. 

After being tired of waiting for the government's relief, Khadka in the recent days have made up his mind to do something on his own.  Now, he has decided to a start a business by collecting donations. 

"I hope, people will support me for this," he said. Due to the torture given by police, he had to spend four years of his life in semiconscious state. He had to spend Rs 10.3 million at Paoli Hospital of USA to get an artificial limb. The government led by the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had offered Rs 5 million for his treatment. 

As the amount was not enough, he had to seek donation from the Nepalese people living in the USA for his treatment. Not just that, he also had to sell his three storey house in Kathmandu along with 12 ropanis of land.  

Likewise, in the people's movement of 2006, he broke his left hand. He is living a miserable life with a plastic tongue and a leg of steel.

Caption: Tara Khadka, who was injured in the mass movement of 1990.

 
• man injured
 
• 1990 movement
 
• begging