Kayastha has been bedridden after he sustained bullet injuries on the head April 9, 2006 during the Second People’s Movement in Banepa. “Considering his physical inability and contribution to the democratic movement in the country, we came to his house to provide him citizenship certificate,” Chief District Officer (CDO) Durga Prasad Bhandari said. Bhandari was accompanied by Assistant CDO Nanda Kishor Tripathi, Section Officer Sunil Kumar Niraula and National Investigation Department chief in the district Rajendra Sigdel.

Kayastha, now 23, was just 15 when he was shot in his left temple during the people’s movement. He was rushed to Bir Hospital immediately after the incident and was treated for 11 months and then transferred to Neuro Hospital in Bansbari where he was kept for six months. The government has been providing Rs 15,000 monthly allowance, a helper and an assistant health worker for his care. The government has also provided Rs 750,000 relief and written off the loan taken by the family from the Agriculture Development Bank.

Meanwhile, recalling neuro-surgeon Upendra Devkota’s remark that his brain lacked the part responsible for speech and that it would be a miracle if he spoke, Kayastha’s mother Mira expressed hope that her son might be able to talk if they could take him for treatment abroad.

After a brain surgery at Bir Hospital in the Capital six months ago, Kayastha’s condition has improved significantly.