Panchayat-era pellets freedom fighter's in head

Suryamani Gautam

SURKHET: A resident of Lekhfarsha VDC-6, Purna Bahadur Phauja has been living with pellets in his head for 30 years now. The pellets have remained in his head ever since the movement against Panchyat regime in 2036 BS in Surkhet.

He informed that there were still three pellets in his head and he has no money for a surgery. In nostalgia, Purna Bahadur said,’’ Our rally was moving ahead the police opened fire and the mob was dispersed.’’ He informed that he could not go to hospital for the treatment immediately due to the fear of the erstwhile administration. He added,’’ Later the doctor asked me to go to Kathmandu for further treatment but I could not for i had no money.” Seven persons were shot dead in that movement while 12 others sustained injuries.

He lamented that the democratic government also did not help him though he was injured in the movement. He added,’’ I got injury while fighting against the Panchayat Regime but nobody listens to me now, neither did they earlier.’’ Phauja was sad as those killed in the movement were not declared Martyrs, he added.

However, an organisation named ‘Pratik Memorial Nepal’ has been established to pressure the government to declare those killed in that movement ‘Martyrs’. Chairman of the organisation JB Dhaulakoti said,’’ The government has not provided any assistance to the kin of the deceased who lost their lives while fighting against Panchayat Regime.’’ But the government has formed a commission to address their demands after their five-month long agitation, he informed.