The struggle committee had launched an indefinite relay hunger strike as part of its third phase of protest program from Saturday demanding immediate action against those involved in the June 7 attack on a Dalit settlement at Bhimdabar village of the VDC. Around 18 locals belonging to Chamar community in the village had been severely thrashed and their houses vandalized by non-dalit locals following a month-long dispute over the use of a local temple in the village.
The struggle committee ended its indefinite relay hunger strike after the non-dalits and dalits of Bhimbadar village struck a four-point agreement at the District Administration Office (DAO), Rautahat. [break]
Chief District Officer Dil Bahadur Ghimire said the agreement was possible only both the groups agreed to end enmity and reconcile with each other. In the four-point agreement, non-dalit locals have agreed to allow dalits inside the Bramhasthan temple of the village. A formal function will be organized on Tuesday at the temple to welcome the dalit locals.
Likewise, the non-dalit locals have also agreed to compulsorily invite dalit locals in any religious functions organized in the village. Similarly, the villagers have decided to jointly raise money to provide treatment to the dalits injured in the attack.
Earlier, after the incident, the non-dalits in the village had reportedly ostracized dalit locals and had refused to give them any work. But the agreement has reconciled the villagers, said Bipin Gautam, a representative from INSEC-Nepal, an NGO.
“Both dalit and non-dalits were living under fear of attack. After the agreement, the village has now returned to normalcy,” he claimed.
Nathuram Pariyar, coordinator of the struggle committee said they have called off all their protest programs.
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