KATHMANDU, Aug 12: Rabindra Mehta, who died in the violent incident in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality 3, Sunsari, will be cremated today after the Cabinet declared him a martyr on Tuesday.
The government has declared as martyrs those killed in the violence in Kaptanganj. Ganesh Kumar Yadav, who died after the unrest that began in Sunsari spread to Siraha, has also been granted martyr status. With the government’s decision, the victims’ families are expected to suspend their protests.
The Cabinet declared 25-year-old Om Prakash Mehta, 21-year-old Jai Prakash Mehta and 19-year-old Ravindra Mehta martyrs. All three died after being injured in the violent clash that began in Dewanganj on July 26. Yadav was also declared a martyr.
“The government has agreed to implement all the commitments, so I am confident there is no need for further protest,” said Bechan Mehta, chairperson of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, who acted as a witness during negotiations between the victims and the federal government.
Three fallen youths remembered at cremation site
Ravindra’s family had refused to accept his body until the government declared him a martyr and took action against those responsible. His body had therefore remained at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, since his death on July 25.
After several rounds of talks with Home Minister Sudan Gurung since July 25, the two sides reached a seven-point agreement on Monday after the government pledged to grant Ravindra martyr status. The Cabinet formally approved the declaration on Tuesday.
In addition to commitments made during the initial negotiations, the latest agreement calls for an immediate investigation into the legal status of the newly established Dewanganj 3 Madrasa and related issues.
It also states that recommendations made by the investigation committee formed to study the incident will be implemented in accordance with the law.
The Home Ministry had formed a committee led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa immediately after the incident. The committee was expected to submit its report within a week, but has yet to do so.
During the first round of negotiations on the night of July 29, Home Minister Gurung had agreed with the families of Om Prakash and Jai Prakash to initiate the process of declaring them martyrs and provide Rs 1 million in relief to each family.
The government had also agreed to conduct an impartial investigation, take legal action against those responsible and provide employment to one member of each victim’s family. Monday’s agreement reaffirmed those commitments and added two new provisions.
Dewanganj Rural Municipality chairperson Mehta said the government has already received the names of family members to be provided employment.
Three other injured people are receiving treatment. Amit Yadav is being treated at Kathmandu Trauma Centre, while Hare Ram Yadav and Mithilesh Mehta are undergoing treatment in Biratnagar, he said.
Police arrested several people three days ago on suspicion of involvement in the Kaptanganj incident and are continuing their investigation.
The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed. “Because the case is sensitive, we have kept the names of all those arrested confidential,” said DSP Chandra Khadka, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Sunsari.
