Bandarmude victims turn down government aid
The victims of the 2005 Bandarmude blast have turned down the government aid meant for development and livelihood programmes in the area saying that they want justice before any monetary aid.
“We want justice first, not money,” said Krishna Adhikari, vice-chairman of the Bandarmude Blast Victims’ Struggle Committee. He claimed that the UCPN (Maoist) was using money as a bait to divide the victims.
Four months ago, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had pledged Rs 6 million as relief aid for the Bandarmude victims. The Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction provided the sum to the Chitwan District Administration Office (DAO) a month ago. The ministry, however, has instructed the DAO to spend the money in development and livelihood programmes in Bandarmude.
“The money is supposed to be spent in development projects. It is not a relief aid for the blast victims,” said Ramchandra Dangal, an engineer at the DAO.
He said the money cannot be used for activities other than the ones directed by the ministry.
Prakash Poudel, planning officer at the DAO, said the amount could be used in irrigation programme, setting up dairy farms and fish ponds.
Since the victims have refused the government help, the DAO has not decided how to utilise the money and as the fiscal year is nearing to an end, the amount is likely to freeze.
Thirty-nine people from the Madi region of Chitwan were killed when a passenger bus was caught in a booby trap explosion in Bandarmude on June 6 of 2005. The victims have not received any relief so far.
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