Chitwan, June 5
Eleven years ago, cadres of then CPN-Maoist triggered an explosion on a bus packed with passengers, at Bandarmude, southern Madi, Chitwan district, which killed around 40 people and left 72 injured.
Ever since the explosion, which occurred during the decade-long Maoist insurgency, the victims and their families have been seeking justice, but to no avail.
Krishna Adhikari, vice-president of the Bandarmudhe Victims’ Struggle Committee, says: There are increasing doubts that the victims may never get justice.
Adhikari appealed the concerned sides not to cause them more pain by denying justice.
Victims like Adhikari say all sides should be serious about delivering justice to the victims and their families.
Maoist rebels had triggered an explosion on a bus numbered Na 2 Kha 3245 on June 6, 2005, killing 38 people on the spot and leaving 72 injured. The bus was headed for Narayangadh from Ayodhyapuri.
Four more people injured in the explosion have died since then, whereas four others are on medication for mental illnesses, says Adhikari. He says others injured in the attack are grappling with different health conditions.
According to Adhikari, Ganga Bahadur Gurung, who suffered head injuries in the 2005 blast, died two years later, whereas Narahari Sapkota died 1.5 years later, Narayan Dutta Poudel died three years later and Chunu KC died four years later.
The victims say they had a discussion with a team from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about three months ago. They said the exercise was not effective. During its two-day inspection, the team had reached out to Bandarmude victims, victims of other insurgency-era incidents and their families.
During such discussions, the victims of the conflict demanded justice, saying there should be no amnesty in such cases as they are crimes against humanity. Adhikari pointed at the absence of a fear-free environment during discussions between the TRC and conflict victims.
