NEPAL: KAPILVASTU CARNAGE, WOMEN PERSPECTIVE

Ms. Bishnu Sharma “As the news of the killing of Abdul Mohit Khan in Bishunpur spread like a wild fire, all of a sudden around 20 to 25 armed men equipped with homemade weapons appeared in the area and the unprecedented mayhem thus began. They looted houses and set shops ablaze. I tried to flee the area along with my wife and a daughter, however, it’s been more than five days, yet I have no clue as to where they are at the moment. I am breathing but lifeless.” These painful words are of Ajip Narayan Sharma, though he is not alone. Thousands of people who have fled thenir homes have similar stories to tell- who are currently taking refuge in the Chandrauta Barrack, still engulfed in deep pain of loosing their kith and kins. The brutal killing of Mohit Khan on September 17, 07 followed by the structured violence is yet to be investigated properly, however, reports are there that more than three dozen people have lost their precious lives and hundreds disappeared. No clue as yet is there as to what really happened to those missing? The question is what happened to them, were they burnt alive,…..after all, where did they vanish? And, there is no official version as to how many people have gone out missing since then and how many houses were set ablaze? Presumption is that more than twenty houses and shops were set ablaze. More perplexing is the scenario wherein different versions of the incident appear frequently from different human rights organizations and the media as well. Local businessmen in Kapilvastu estimate that properties worth more than Rs. 200 Million have been damaged. But the fact is that loss of precious lives and the mental wound cannot be estimated in numerical terms. Anyway, the task should be to learn lessons from such incidents henceforth, no incidents of such magnitude could make a comeback. Gaur Carnage, March 21, 07, was there to learn from but our leadership turned its deaf ear towards the mayhem that happened merely few months back, thus the result was there to see more in Kapilvastu. Now dwelling into the basics, what citizens of a country demand from the State is rather simple. One is obviously the demand for their security and the other is to make certain that their basic rights to live life peacefully are guaranteed by the State. Unfortunately, we are neither secured nor can we live our lives peacefully in our homeland. In both the fronts, the government has failed miserably. The tax-payers’ money that is being used for security purposes have given no positive outcome, the people feel thus alienated in their land of birth. What a pity….Unfortunate incidents do take place now and then, but the job of the security agencies’ seem either not well understood or they are acting as mere onlookers to the ghastly events. Learning from Gaur Carnage security situation throughout the country could have been tightened, however, on the contrary, the government acted as mere spectator thus dozens of precious lives and properties worth millions were lost in Kapilbvastu. Feeling the brunt, millions have been displaced, forced to live a life miserable. Hundreds have become sick since then, the government needs to draw its attention towards making their lives normal and treat those who have become sick drinking polluted water and consuming contaminated food, though some have already lost their lives in the mean time. Some displaced women are pregnant- they must be guaranteed safe place to give birth. In reality, the victims have not yet been relieved from the mental trauma they went through. Eyes soaked with tears say the same thing, “If the security personnel would have arrived on time, the loss could have been minimized”. “Our police force could have stopped the Indian criminals from entering into our territory…..”, they repeat again and again. “Our own government left us dying…..” eyes soaked with tears say the same again and again. Reports say that the most affected VDCs are mainly Patthardeiya, Khurhuriya, Bisanpur, Jouwari, Krishnanagar, Jagdishpur and Ganeshpur, among others. The real statistics of the loss of properties and that of precious human lives figure is yet to become public. “Many women and children who could not go far enough entered the nearby sugarcane field fearing their lives; they were later brutally killed by the criminals. Before killing, women were raped and their sensitive organs callously mutilated…we have never experienced such a dreadful incident in our life”, said a local woman. “Some were even burnt alive”, she added with a pause. More than eighteen public vehicles were set ablaze, added a person working for a local transportation company. He adds, vehicles used by the criminals had all Indian Government Registration number. They specifically targeted those vehicles that had Nepali registration number before setting them ablaze, he further said. “Minor incidents did happen in the past but not of this magnitude and dimension, more than creating communal discord, this incident to me is structured in a way to loot, kill and above all to instill fear among the local populace”, said yet another. Government’s Response It was only after five days the government woke up and formed a three member probe commission. The results of commissions are expected; in the past too we had such commissions and their findings thrown into a trash can. Some government officials and security personnel stationed in the area at the time of violence were later transferred to different locations in the country. The transfer was it a subtle act to protect them or was a penalizing action? Who else better knows than the government? Next, well protected Home Minster Krishna Prasad Sitaula enters into the violence hit area, he gave the feeling that he too feels unsafe in a country where his job is to guarantee security. Ten thousand rupees for the family of a dead and merely five thousand rupees for the victims of violence, Sitaula upon visiting Kapilvastu guaranteed. What a shame? Nevertheless, there are thousands and thousands who are yet to receive the government assistance. Will they ever receive it or never..? What is 1325? The UN Security Council resolution 1325 which was passed unanimously on 31 October 2000, specifically, addresses the impact of war on women, and women's contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace. It reaffirms important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision- making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution.  Further it urges the Secretary-General to seek to expand the role and contribution of women in United Nations field-based operations, and especially among military observers, civilian police, human rights and humanitarian personnel. All UN member states including Nepal must abide by this resolution.  [UNFPA] In reality, in the backdrop of the Kapilvastu incident, government’s activity to date does hint that there has been the gross violation of article 1325 of the UNSC. The probe commission does not seem to have been formed to track down the real culprits. The point is that even after the Gaur carnage similar commissions were formed however, the report submitted to the government has yet to be made public. Thus, a similar conclusion can be drawn of the newly formed commission set to investigate the Kapilvastu event. The findings will be limited among the government and the Commission representatives. Nevertheless, in the present context, right to information bill has already been passed, thus the people will not remain quiet if the government tries to hide the outcomes of the Kapilvastu carnage as well. Anyway, it is certain that the most affected are women and Children in Kapilvastu. Deplorably, in the investigative commission there is no representation of a woman. Call it government’s ignorance or sheer gender discrimination or is it that the government wants to prove that women cannot investigate such critical issues? In Kapilvastu incident too, women- who have been tortured and sexually abused, could have investigated the incident properly and understood the real situation more than a male counterpart. It would have been lot easier for women victims to convey their agony to a woman investigator than to a man. Thus, if the real culprits are to be found in the future, all the stakeholders- mainly the government and the political parties it is necessary that they follow various commitments made in the international fronts and above all, the UN Security Council resolution 1325 must be abided by. Finally, the job of the government is to end impunity and the political parties become sensible towards such issues. Will they? Ms. Sharma is a freelance journalist in Nepal

Man.....Its happening every single day and there is nothing much these freaking govt doing. They just too busy filling up their pocket. Its gonna get worse day by day.

Good lord look at the atrocities that our brothers and sister are going through. Well this just proves to all that the present Government is lacking the potentials to prevent or to intercept the brutalities. And to make a shameful offer of Rs ten thousand for the dead and Rs 5000 for the victims who are alive.... what more do you expect??? The so called republican and democratic minded people are optimistic about the New Nepal under a new leadership but I am fearful to even imagine my country being exploited by the so called new leaders.

well said Dimple.....and yet there are some people here that still believe in these dirty politicians...whose every word and action is dictated by the Indian government.......they fill their pockets with blood money and turn a blind eye in all the crimes that are openly comitted by criminals..............Who can stop them????..when the one who can is stripped off the power By the criminals. The media is scared too...they rather report the delicious break fast of the political leaders than a dying , tortured Nepalese in the hands if Indian Dhoti criminals......hired by the Political Mafia................all those thugs from Indis will never be bought to justice....THEY entered Nepal...Spit on our face.........Raped, killed, destroyed and terrorized Nepalese citizen and ALL of us including the security forces were useless......why??? because the security forces hadnt been given the authority to take action..........do you need authority when your country is being invaded and the citizens you were assigned to protect are being systematically hunted, tortured, mutilated, raped and killed. SALA NAMARDA HARU...........it is a shame for the name of being the land of the Brave Gorkhas...when a handfull od indian criminals can pose their will in a city of thousands of Nepalese....SHAME

I agree with you guys, totally....but still can't come up with solution how we could change these all? We all know these things are happening, but what can be done? There gotta be some way.

Did you know that "it takes a thief to catch a thief?" If a direct approach is countered by political intelligence, then the next best way is to enter "through the back door." In the first place, why does the Nepali govt. allow Indians unrestricted entry/exit through its portals? When Immigration/Customs have open arm policies, the country is obviously asking for trouble. China, on the other hand will scrutinize every single face and passport before giving the green light. Why is Nepal so generous? This generosity has opened the doors to more bad than good. Can you blame the thief/murderer/rapist if you leave your house doors wide open and display your personal belongings for public viewing? A man who is concerned about the safety of his family members will ensure that doors are kept opened only at the right time. What happened to the brave Gorkhas? Do they prefer to safeguard the Kings of foreign lands and ignore the plight of their mothers, sisters and daughters? Is the foreign currency that valuable? What is the use of having battalions of Armed Forces, when none amongst them fails to fulfill his oath to serve and protect his country over and above the preservation of his own life. You mean to tell me a city of thousands of Nepalese cannot bring down a handful of Indian criminals? If the women of Nepal cannot depend upon their own fathers, husbands and brothers to protect them, who else can they turn to? Looks like the women have no choice but to take up arms to protect themselves and their families. LONG LIVE THE WOMEN OF NEPAL!!!

you are right heartbeat..............it is rather a shame to see how criminals from across the border can get in and out without being penalized.........well the reality is when these cowards attacked they caught the Nepalese by surprise and dispersed them and systematically hunted them ............Lets try again........lets say angry Nepalese crowd waiting for these mobs to come............what would have been the out come???? The only sad thing is that this went on for what a long time ......and the goverment never sent any security forces to the affected area................when the government were fully aware of the carnage going on.................I believe that Nepal is a ball of fire and India is going to be burnt by this fire if not now but sooner.......All these dirty politics will have a terrible outcome for the victems.....like you said the women will take arms..........you see  the  government has turned a blind eye to these events..but there was a heavy impact on thousands of lives who fled to millitary camps where the millitary were waiting for orders that came well too late.............People will judge this momment and are now scarred for life with this event.....they have lost faith in this government......and theoffering of meagre couple of thousand rupees is not going to fulfill any life long scars......arent they even ashamed to face these victims and offer them money for their tragic losses????? the more I think the more Mad I get and even madder when I cant do anything about and those who can do something about wont do it .......and the only who I think can and will do something is powerless.......What a sad situation..................................

When a beaten man says "I'm breathing but lifeless", even death becomes a grace from God. Maybe Nepalese are by nature more compassionate than the world would like them to be. Maybe the Hindu concept of tolerance and Buddhist teachings of non-violence has been ingrained so deeply, that the people have lost their courage to fight for their basic human rights i.e. the right to live in a peaceful country, to live without fear. MadDoGG, who is that someone whom you think can do something about what's happening in Nepal? Why is that person powerless? As Ms. Sharma has pointed out i.e. the UN Security Council resolution 1325...why can't we compile a detailed report based on thorough investigations and submit that document to the UN Security Council. If the country's government is has proved its incapability to provide security for its citizens, then the people have the right to seek protection from higher authorities. It's no use getting mad about it. You got to put on your 'thinking cap' and make an appeal to the "Supreme Court of Justice." Remember "Impossible is nothing"; because "if there's a will, there's a way." Good things don't come easy but one must be prepared to lay down his life for that. Tell me MadDoGG, who that person is? I want to know why he cannot do what he has to do? Is the future generation going to lead a scarred life? Is this the legacy every Nepali is going to leave behind? Life is not just meant to be spent drinking and smoking at dancing parties whilst others are suffering in heartbreaking agony. Has distance sealed your hearts? It is said in the Holy Bible "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death: hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" Proverbs 24:10-12. It further says "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out." - Proverbs 24:19

All I know is there are people like politicians....who are looking other places when these things happens. They are just not taking any actions. All they know is just to fill their pocket. And about the religion, none of the religion says to harm others. So, it has nothing to do with the religion. Its about the people like our politicians who are misusing their power, you know it well and rest of the world knows it too...

Agreed that no religion teaches you to harm another. But the same religion does not allow you to stand and watch while another human being is tortured by politicians or criminals or whoever. As a human being, it is your duty to protect another especially if the other is weaker in terms of gender, physical size or age. If one refrains from going to the aid of another who is being attacked, in the court of law, that would be equivalent to being an accomplice. Politicians are human beings not Super Heros like Green Goblins or Freddy Krugers! So, what's stopping the people from bringing them down from their pedestals. Is it FEAR?

Yeah you got it right that these ahole politicans are not super heros but they are acting like one right now. We all know these politicans are corrupt and guilty but there is not justice at all. If all nepalese were people like you and I, then we won't be in this situation. So, they do everything just to get elected and misuse these powers. Come on, don't act like you don't know about it. Everyone knows it. Just read the news about Sujata koirala, and joshi guy and all these mao. The people who are elected to protect are the one who is misuing it. And there are people like you and I who just can say its wrong but can't do much than that. Its sad but true. You can't just say we should give up and just go after it. And I don't think you will be willing to either. I am sure its hard for you to get to the situation where you are at right now and you won't be willing to give up everything just like that.

Point taken Nepaliiheart but this Heartbeat begs to differ. I don't look at this as a short term drama but a long term cinemascope movie. And if its your family that were to ever experience something bad, trust me, you would be the first one to give up everything in order to stand by your family through thick and thin. You call that family bonding. Because if the current situation blows out of proportion and erupts into a war, would you still hesitate to give up what you now have? Its good to remember that we came into this world alone and will leave alone. Not even the cloth on our body will follow us to the next world. Have we forgotten what our sisters had to give up when they were raped and murdered? You don't have to sacrifice your hard earned rewards in order to save the situation. You can always do things in tandem. Tiny drops of water makes a mighty ocean... you mean to say that all those who are against the corrupt politicians are not willing to hold hands, pool their resources, and bring down those Megatrons!

well heartbeat......amny people see him as a villian of the country and I beg to differ...............The only Person that can bring stability to the country is our KING..........I have my reasons to believe he can please bear to read why without judgement.........................................I know that the days of monarchial rule is over and it is a more people governed world.....But just in the case of Nepal..........Our Kings united Nepal ......and along with our forefathers wrote our history forming our identity, culture and heritage....I do agree that Nepal was not doing good in those era because of the Ranas and all the royal plots and scheme that kinda let Nepal down.............But since democracy was handed to the people after King Birendra stepped down .....the politicians ruined the country even more,,,,,..........Politicians of both India and Nepal were less in to developement of Nepal but into self developement aND being richer than ever.......due to corruption and lawlessness of the politicians The MAOISTS were born...thus creating the carnage we all are aware of....These politicians labeled the Maoists as terrorists and started a war with them..........on the other hand they wer busy selling nepals rivers and valuables to India and the black market.......they abused all the Aid money..........An article published by an international magazine stated that if Nepal had utilized all the aid money where it was supposed to be used than Nepal would have become a very self stable rich country...but the money has dissappeared into thin air and the nepalese people were still dealing with huge poverty, malnutrition, illetracy, water and electricity, school and every problem a poor nation faces.......yet enough money was aided to Nepal to open hospitals schools, library, roads and etc........Nepal has recieved many offers from Int countries to develope hydro energy plants so that we could sell the energy to the world but they were denied by the peoples government......recently was the elysee frontiers funds  of peace company from france.....and they were asked to bribe 10 mill from the deuba cabinate and the girija cabinate...The french company went public in Kantipur and blamed the government and it left for good.............There are people who Blame King Gyanendra for the Sad Demise fo the royal family..........They view him as a power hungry monster who went on a power trip and gave the ultimate sacrifice of killing his own brothers's family to be the King........and then He sacks all the corrupt governments of nepal..........The people at first were pretty happy but .....the attacks from the maoist intensifyed and more people started to die when the king took over,,......he deployed the Army and let them loose on the maoists who by then trippled their killings ,,,...lootings...and made it impossible for the king to show any improovement.........it made it further more worse when the two arch enemies.....the Maoists and the  Political leaders  fromed an alliance to further create obstacle for the king to bring stability to a very severly damaged system.......India supported the political leaders and the maoists and made the union for them easy in India........................During the SAARC meeting King Gyanendra looked directly at the Indian PM and told him to stay out of Nepals interrior conflicts and concentrate on his own countries problems........The King had started a dialouge with China for business so that we dont depend on India......and you know business with India comes at ahuge back drop......Petroleum sortage at will, prices go up and down because of unnesessary sanctions by India...and yet we continue business with them.......They build an illegal dam...flooding parts of Nepal and yet the government says nothing...they steal energy from those dams for electricity for their cities yet there is no light in surrounding Nepali villages around the energy Dam...........WHY???.............tell me something ....if you had killed you family to come to power.........had you been a power monster who just did the unthinkable......would you give up the power so easy???????/I mean the king had asked three years to stabilize the country and then hand back the power back to the people .......and he had the full army and armed police behind his one command......had he been a power hungry monster....why didnt he order a marshall law?? everyone knew that the people rioting in the streets were not from kathmandu but were people who the political leaders and the mmaoists brainwashed against the king ..blaming the King for the countrys state of in stability...........thousands of innocent people died in the squablle between the political parties run government and the maoists.....and yet they returned to power as liberators...........the king althouh had the power to silent all of them and turn Nepal kile Burma sterpped down saying.......stop killing people in my name .....and he said Peace is my goal....if arch rivals becomes friends and they can bring peace than I will step down....anyways peace is what I want too......that to me wasnt a power hungry monster............thats why I believe that he is the only hope we have and I can understand if you beg to differ............

Thank you very much for the enlightening lesson on Nepal's history. It's people like you who make the difference. For your information, I fully support the King's rule. Nepal is not matured enough to understand the workings of democracy or socialism. She still needs to be ruled. King Gyanendra has bite off more than what he can swallow. I'm referring to the Indo-Nepal relationship. This can be compared to a simple home front scenario. If the head of home or man of the house, allows third-parties to come in and give suggestions etc, it is only a matter of time before the man losses his powers and authority. That's what has happened to the Royal household. By giving room to the Indian politicians, all in the name of 'development', Nepal as lost its glory. Politics is a dirty game and if you're not thick-skinned, you should not get into it. Do you recall what Lord Krishna told Arjuna at the battlefield when he saw all his family members on the enemies' side? "Yield not, O Partha, to feebleness. It does not befit you. Cast off this petty faint-heartedness. Wake up, O vanquisher of foes!" Does the King know that the people of Nepal are prepared to stand by his side? Personally, I don't see anyone else who has that unsurmountable courage to lead the nation to victory over corruption. LONG LIVE THE KING AND MAY HE LEAD THIS LAND TO PEACE AND PROSPERITY, ONCE AGAIN!

yeah..people like me can make difference..and am sure that people like you can make difference too, can't you? Thanks for the info about the king. I don't mind either politician or the king take over, as long as the country is peaceful. If the king then why not? And for your info, I have respect to all the religion but I don't go much deep into it. All of 'em just want to give you the same info, live and let them live peacefully. And rest is all made up by human just to make it better for their own kind So, No, I don't know what krishna and arjun said or either jesus or Allah said and not really interested in it either. You sounded like just coz of people like me the country is in this situation...what about you? By the way, sorry for the reply...had to go out for lunch break :)

Lets not worry about who said what but the point is Gyanendra is the only solution to the ongoing problem that is escalating day by day. People who threatened and scared the general public to believe they can be better leaders are a bunch of blood thirsty hounds and will lead Nepal to its downfall. Right now i can vividly see the same scenario of how Sikkim became a part of India, if things don't change the same could happen to us. Just because we are sandwiched between the two super powers India and China the politicains have allowed them to use Nepal as their chess board for them to play their dirty games and the so called politicians (chamchas) do what they are told regardless, lest they should loose their chair. Gyanendra has been made the villian and the actual villians have camouflaged from terrorists to leaders...... well he needs to act soon to save Nepal from the rouges before more disaster should befall. We are already in the midst of a huge crisis and people need to wake up. we have to cut the coat according to our size.....meaning we cannot try to impliment what works for America in Nepal first Nepal has to outgrow a lot of hindrances, we have a long way to go.

I totally agree with that.....but do what...where do we start from....I am sure there are so many people who are thinking like us but just don't know where to start and what move to make. All we could do is wait and see...and hope things just get better.

Yes, I think King is our only solution. Yo prachande, girija, babu ram, madave, sher bahadur, ani especially tyo YCL ko cadres haru lai jail ma jaknu parne.

yes .....I believe that the King has to act soon otherwise the situation will get from bad to worse............the people who had sooooo much hope that this new Nepal and this new SPA allaince will bring peace to the country..but look what it has brought??????...more death and destruction.......carnage,........lawlessness in the name of law.....crimes being justified............People were hoping for peace and unity like the SPA united.......but how can a democratic system government form alliance with a communist Maoist followers....JUST TO COME TO POWER.....thats how power hungry these Netas are........and now Nepalese people are facing the same problem but in a very dangerous way......THE CHAIR CONTROLL AND TUG OF POWER OF THE SAME UNITED PARTIES.......and the YCLS crimes. THEY UNITED.....the SPA and the maoists...but the country broke into pieces.......just what India wants ........the political leaders will be awarded tons of money and be hiddden in big safer cities in India while India will make Nepal another state.....these thugs will sell Nepal..NO DOUBT....and The only Person WHO will not let this happen is our KING.....................AND HE NEEDS TO ACT FAST......