The Comprehensive Peace Agreement assured that those killed would be honoured, their widows would get relief, their children would be granted scholarships and those injured would receive compensation. It said seized property would be returned, those displaced would be resettled, the whereabouts of the disappeared would be made public and the two armies would be integrated. None of this has happened so far.

My father, Tikaraj, was killed by the Maoists on 28 February 2000. After eight years, I went back home for Dasain this year. What I saw in my village in Ramechhap was that our public institutions and organisations were being shifted to other places. Tunaraj Giri, who had a limb amputated during the war, did not go home for Dasain this year. Subash Giri spent Dasain at home.

Asmita Pulami was injured in crossfire in Sindhuli, but left the Maoists. Sapana Pulami was afraid to talk to me even though she once had the courage to flee from the clutches of the Maoists. Neither of these two names appears on the list of those affected by the war.

Kailash Giri fled the country after his entire family was thrown out of their home by the Maoists. Ana Bahadur Pulami is the former secretary of the VDC evicted from his house. His health deteriorated when his co-worker was killed by the Maoists. Kasiraj Giri (Nabin), a former Maoist rebel, was injured in a clash in Solu. He paid for his own medical expenses and is now a migrant worker.

Prakash Suderi could not return to his home because of threats from the Maoists. Fear for his safety made Koman Bahadur Khapange vote for the Maoists. His wife had earlier been assaulted by them.

The very Maoists who killed, looted, injured and displaced innocent people are now in government. Increased impunity has made it easier for the criminal state to threaten people. The so-called peace is lifeless in the village. On the day the government distributed Rs 3.6 million to cadres in the Maoist camps for Dasain, the conflict-affected were beaten by police in front of the office of the UN. Is this justice?

Gyanendra Aaran
Member of Neka District Committee
Ramechhap