"My four-year-old daughter starts crying every time she remembers the scary incident (of unrest caused by Tharuhat activists). She did not even eat anything until two days after the incident," said her mother Saraswati Kattel.Several other kids and locals of Tikapur have been psychologically affected due to the terrifying environment created by the gruesome murders of eight security personnel and a toddler on August 24.
Puja Magar, another local of the area said," Both of my children get horrified every time they hear any kind of sound in the room. We all get scared these days in the evening time after it starts getting dark."
Her kids, Sandesh Pun Magar and Shital Pun Magar, aged 9 and 11 years respectively, have been insisting her to take them to their uncle's house for the time being.
During the incident, the locals witnessed some horrific scenes for several hours that have had a great psychological impact on them. Shouting of protestors and clashes with the police, violent actions such as hurling of stones and tools, and beating one another led the locals to undergo through unimaginable agony.
Sushila Berma, another local of the area, said that the peaceful image of Tikapur has been totally wiped out since the incident. "Four police officers, including SSP Laxman Neupane, were brutally killed in the courtyard of a nearby house. The toddler was shot right when he was playing in the veranda. It is terrifying even to talk about the incident as it sends chills down the spine to this day."
Although the whole area is now under strict security supervision, locals are yet to breathe a sigh of relief.
Khadak Raj Joshi, area coordinator of INSEC, said that kids of the area have been most affected by the incident.
"Kids are having difficulties in sleeping and even eating due to fear of repetition of such violent clashes again in the near future. It is very crucial for parents to take care of their kids to help them recover from this situation."
Chief District Officer of Kailali, Mohan Chapagain, insisted on the need of tight security in the area in order to help the locals recover from the traumatic event. "We are planning to conduct counseling programs in order to bring back normalcy among the locals," he added.
PHOTO:
1- Kids of Shankarpur-6 in Tikapur municipality seemingly fearful due to the Tikapur incident.
2- Prinsa Kattel, a four-year-old girl weeps after seeing a stranger.
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