NEPAL: Child injured in bomb blast during elections

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Sameer Khadgi, an 8 year old child, who has suffered injuries in a bomb blast on election day. Sameer has lost fingers on his right hand. He received treatment in the intensive care unit at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, for his hand and head injuries. He has been shifted to the general ward now. Sameer fell victim to a bomb, which exploded at Azad Galli in Bhotebahal, Kathmandu district, on 19 November 2013, the day Nepal held its second Constituent Assembly elections.

CASE NARRATIVE:

Sameer Khadgi and two other children, Sunita Balami and Ganga Balami, were playing at the Azad Galli in Bhotebahal of Kathmandu when they mistook the bomb – lying nearby – as a plaything. The 8 year old Sameer took his breakfast and went to play outside on the morning of 19 November. His mother Radha Khadgi and father Dankaji Khadgi were serving tea for breakfast, mostly to security personnel who were stationed at the nearby polling stations that day.

While the father was busy serving customers at the small teashop, he heard a blast. He thought of the blast as a regular one set off by the anti-poll protesters, only to find out later that his son was, among other children, victim to the blast.

On hearing that his son was injured in the blast, Sameer’s father fell to the earth, unconscious.

The other injured children have returned home after minor treatment at the hospital. But, according to the doctors, Sameer has lost three fingers in the blast. The remaining two fingers on his injured right hand are also damaged. The doctors are worried that his hand might have to be removed. They are planning to decide on the operation within 3-4 days. The doctors are also planning to attach artificial fingers, if possible.

Whenever he regains consciousness, Sameer asks his father to take him home.

Sameer still does not know that he has lost his fingers as his hand is bandaged.

His parents are worried what they are going to tell him, and how.

The government has not said a word on this incident. Only Vidhyadhar Mallik, Minister for Health and Population has paid a visit to Sameer and his family at the hospital. Mr. Mallik did mention that the government would provide compensation to the victim’s family.

Locals have formed a committee to pressure the government to provide free medical treatment, education, economic support, and a permanent job for Sameer in the future. The committee has submitted a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu. A donation campaign has been started to help the family. People have started sending donations in the bank account established in the name of the boy. Around Nepal Rupees 2,000,000 have been collected in the fund. Details are:

Account Name: Sameer Khadgi
Name of Bank: Nabil Bank
Account number: 4610017503445

Sameer is smart and good in his studies. He is a student of 1st grade at Araniko School nearby. The family wishes and asks for good education and opportunities for Sameer.

An investigation into the explosion must take place and the culprits have to be booked as per law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The 33 party alliance including the CPN- Maoists Baidhya faction organized anti-poll activities as they decided to boycott the second Constituent Assembly election on 19 November. The first Constituent Assembly dissolved on 28 May 2013, when it could not arrive at an agreement to deliver the constitution. There is rising insecurity in the country. Those who boycotted elections have conducted bandhs (closures) and protest programmes in different parts of the country. They have terrorized the general public by calling for a transportation halt. Bombs have been hurled into public vehicles in Kathmandu when public defied their bandhs, bringing injury to women and children. It has been widely reported that the second Constituent Assembly elections were conducted peacefully. But the AHRC has noticed violence in Kathmandu, Dolakha, Jumla Siraha, and Jhapa districts during the elections.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send a letter to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case and requesting immediate investigation of the bomb blast. The interim government should wait no longer to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to justice. The victim and family should receive free treatment, education, and future opportunities like employment.

The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Chairperson of the United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child to require an appropriate intervention in this matter.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER