National
41 Madhes stir victims are martyrs
The government on Thursday declared 41 protesters who died during demonstrations against some provisions of the new constitution as martyrs.The government on Thursday declared 41 protesters who died during demonstrations against some provisions of the new constitution as martyrs.
A Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar also decided to provide Rs1 million in compensation for families of each of the 52 victims, including 11 security personnel, who lost lives during the Madhes agitation.
Most of the concerned families have already received the compensation as per the decision taken by the erstwhile UML-led government.
“The meeting decided to provide compensation to 52 individuals, while 41 more protesters who died during the protest have been declared martyrs,” said Minister for Information Ram Karki. The UML-led government had previously given martyr status to the 11 security personnel who died in the line of duty.
Those included on the list of martyrs had died in separate protests in Jumla, Surkhet, Kailali and various districts of the Tarai.
According to the Home Ministry, the government has so far provided Rs1 million in compensation to families of 41 people who died during the protests, while three other families were provided Rs500,000 each.
However, the Cabinet did not take any decision regarding the six more names recommended for martyrdom by the Samyukta Lokatantrik Madhesi Morcha earlier this week. The government appears unwilling to give martyr status to the six protesters arguing that one was an Indian national and others died during accidents.
During a meeting with Morcha leaders earlier this week, Home Minister Bimlendra Nidhi had pledged to forward the names to the Cabinet after verifying them.
“We are hopeful that the government will also provide compensation to the remaining protesters,” said Sadbhawana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna.
The Cabinet has also formed a committee under former Justice Girish Chandra Lal to probe various incidents during the Madhes stir. Other members of seven-member committee will be decided by the Home Ministry after coordination with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.