Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) lawmaker Resham Chaudhary, the main accused in Tikapur incident, and 24 others accused have begun an indefinite hunger strike at Kailali District Prison starting Sunday.

All 25 accused, who are in judicial custody for their alleged involvement in Tikapur incident in which eight security personnel and a two-year-old child were killed in 2015, staged the hunger strike to press their demands. “Chaudhary along with 24 others have initiated the hunger strike from 5:45pm in the district prison. All the agitators staging hunger strike are the accused in Tikapur incident,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sagar Bohara.

The Kailali District Court on February 26 had remanded Chaudhary in judicial custody after he surrendered before the court the same day. Chaudhary, who was elected as a federal parliament member from Kailali-, was at large even after his poll victory.

The protesters have been demanding the authority provide election victory certificate to Chaudhary, allow him to take oath of office and secrecy, release all 26 accused in Tikapur incident with due compensation and address the demands raised by Tharuhat Struggle Committee. They warned of continuing their hunger strike until the authorities concerned fulfil their demands.  

According to the district prison administration, the accused in Kailali incident formed two groups and started their strike. Chaudhary and 15 others are in one group, while nine others are in another group.

Chaudhary was on the run after his thumping victory in the federal parliament elections. He unexpectedly appeared at the court on February 26 and recorded his statement. Following the hearings from plaintiff and defendant, the district court gave its verdict to remand Chaudhary in judicial custody.

A charge-sheet was filed against 56 people, including Chaudhary, for their alleged involvement in the Tikapur incident that took place in August, 2015. Chaudhary has been accused as the main conspirator behind the Tikapur incident in which eight security personnel, including then Seti Zonal Police Chief SSP Laxman Neupane, and a two-year-old child were killed during the Tharuhat agitation demanding a separate province. Tension had escalated in the area then due to sporadic clashes between supporters of Tharuhat and that of the undivided Farwest.

Twenty-five of the accused have been detained at the district prison for judicial investigation. Three different cases—murder, attempted murder and robbery— were filed against Chaudhary. The case has remained pending in the court for the past one year. 

Chaudhary had filed his candidacy as the RJP-N candidate for the federal parliament through the power of attorney. He obtained 34,341 votes to beat his closest competitor by 20,935 votes. But the Election Commission refused to give the victory certificate to the representative of absconding Chaudhary. He had also tried to register a writ petition at the Supreme Court through his wife, seeking issuance of his victory certificate but the apex court refused to register the writ.