Kamal Khanal, who sustained serious burns during a night fire at the Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum (BRWF) compound in Sanischare camp of Morang passed away last week.
35-years-old Khanal was airlifted to Kathmandu for his treatment following referral from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan. He died in the Tribhuwan University (TU) Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.
Dozens of refugees, BRWF representatives, political and human rights activists took part in a memorial ceremony organized in the camp last week.
Organizing a protest rally, they also demanded thorough investigation of the case suspecting “intentional act to burn and kill late Khanal”.
The deceased was reportedly sleeping inside his shop in the BRWF compound during the mishap.
Some eyewitness even told BNS that door of his shop was locked from outside with thick wires, and he couldn’t immediately escape from the fire.
Both BRWF and Camp Management Committee(CMC) have demanded probe into the case, and bring all suspects into a book at the earliest.
“He was under a trap. A gang of local youths and even some law enforcement agents were threatening him on various allegations,” a refugee told BNS, requesting his anonymity.
According to this respondent, late Khanal had even paid some money to both the youth-gang and law enforcement agent to secure his living. However, he didn’t report the case to any authority as it was a deal achieved between those gangs and himself.
“Their bargain didn’t stop even after he paid a huge amount of money.”
Meanwhile, the Morang Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) visited the camp, and assured the camp authority of stern actions against those who might be found guilty after the police investigation into the case is completed.
However, the authority is yet to launch a probe into the case.
