Dear ANTA Members, Fellow Teraians, Friends of Terai, ND Members and Proud Donors for the Recent Terai Victims:
I just got back from my hastily planned 6-day trip to Nepal (Kathmandu). As most of you may know, my trip was solely for the purpose of meeting the victims of the recent Terai Movement and making sure that the funds that we raised here reached to the real victims in a timely and effective manner. Due to my time constraints and frequent Madhesh band, I was confined within Kathmandu only.
The Victims Undergoing Treatment in Kathmandu
On my first day, I visited Minister Mahanth Thakur, also the Head the Government Peace Talk Team, at his bed-side at Maharajganj Hospital where he was being treated for jaundice. He supplied me with the list of victims of Terai movement undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kathmandu, and updated about the Government's efforts in helping these victims. He confirmed that the Government will give NRs. 10 lakhs to all those who lost their lives. As of Feb. 25, 38 people had lost their lives - the last one at Dharan Hospital while undergoing treatment.
I also conveyed to Mr. Thakur that ANTA as well as NRNA stands ready to help facilitate the peace process provided a formal invitation is sent to us by the Government.
The list contained names of 27 victims at Bir Hospital alone, mostly from Lahan, Kalaiya and Malangwa incidents. ALL the victims had bullet injuries. I learnt that there were 4 more at Army Hospital and 3 at Maharajganj.
Some 7 victims were sheltered at a nearby lodge after initial treatment at Bir Hospital. The government assistance was not reaching to these victims regularly, and they complained to be stranded in the lodge. As our token of support, I paid the lodge directly (NRs. 14,040) and helped send these 7 victims to their villages.
On Day 2, I met the victims at Bir, Chhauni and Maharajganj Hospitals. Bir Hospital housed the maximum number of victims. The pictures inside were not very pretty. Please visit our web-site ( www.terai.org) to see some of the victims. I met each and every patients (total 16) at the hospital. They were satisfied with the treatment and medicines provided by the Government and some private donors. However, they humbly expressed need for additional assistance for: buying supplemental foods, fruits, meat, etc. and supporting care-takers. I still carry a vivid picture of one of the victims in Neuro-surgical ward who was shot at the lower jaw (close range) and the bullet came out of his mouth.
Army Hospital, Chhauni: Most of the victims had left the hospital after few days of treatment. There were 4 still undergoing treatment - all from Lahan incident. Two had their legs amputated, while one had his right hand amputated. The fourth one had a severe bullet injury - but about to be released. The victims here were relatively happier with the foods (got meat more frequently). The need was replacement of their legs and arm, and their long-term rehabilitation. One of the victims, a 26-yr rickshaw-puller from Lahan with 3 small kids, didn't know how he'd support his family.
Maharajganj Hospital: 3 victims with severe bullet injuries, one got his leg amputated.
Based on my assessment of these victims, I concluded that, in short term, these victims needed some sort of cash assistance, and in long-term, the major task would be to replace their legs/arms which were amputated. We pledged (and shortly disbursed) a direct cash support of NRs. 5,000 to 10,000, depending upon the individual's medical condition, to each victim undergoing treatment in Kathmandu. The list shall soon be posted at our web-site.
Future Management & Disbursement of Funds:
I formed a 3-Member Committee to monitor the use of funds in future. Dr. Surendra Mahato, Mr. Prashant Jha (both Life Members of ANTA) and Mr. Dhirendra Premarshi have agreed to serve in the committee. On my request, Mr. Premarshi left for Biratnagar, Lahan and Janakpur to assess the situation there. The government didn't have exact number or status of the victims undergoing treatment at hospitals outside Kathmandu.
During my meeting with Mr. Upendra Yadav, leader of MPRF, he indicated that there are several victims undergoing treatment at hospitals in Silliguri, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, and other bordering cities of India. I promised to help these victims also - contingent upon verification by the Committee.
Use of NAC's Authorized Funds held by NMA:
Dr. Sudha Sharma, President of NMA, informed me about the NMA's support to the victims of Terai victims using NAC's funds. NMA gave NRs. 3,000 to 25 victims undergoing treatment at Bir hospital. NMA has also dispatched monies to their branches in Biratnagar, Janakpur, etc. to help the victims of Terai Aandolan.
NMA Board was hesitant in writing a check to ANTA as directed by NAC. However, per Dr. Sharma, NMA would be willing to work with ANTA to disburse the NAC's funds (approx. NRs. 4 lakhs remaining) to help the victims of Terai Movement. The 3-member ANTA Committee established in Kathmandu will work with NMA to disburse the funds to the victims.
Madheshi Movement: Challenge & Opportunities
I organized an Interaction program in Kathmandu consisting of some 100 people representing intellectuals, politicians, MPs, students, Dalits, journalists, Civic Society, and Think Tanks from Madhesh. The scheduled 3-hr program got extended to 41/2 hr. with almost 100% audiences intact. This program was covered by all major media.
The Highlights & Outcomes of the Program are:
1. The Terai Aandolan is NOT over yet.
2. The Government is NOT serious and/or sincere about the Madheshi people demand. The implementation of some of the promises was lacking.
3. The Media as well Human Rights Activists were biased during the Terai Movement (Mr. C.K. Lal).
4.There was a strong demand to establish an independent Media devoted to Terai cause. They sought help from NRN.
5. The jungle-raj of Maoist has been wiped out in Terai region.
6. The ordinary people are leading the movement. The politicians and political party need to catch up with them, else they will miss the boat.
7. Majority of the participants wanted the Home Minister to resign immediately so that the peace talk can start (a demand posed by MPRF).
7.NSP was NOT adamant about the resignation of Home minister as a pre-condition to the Talk.
It has already been a long e-mail. I'll keep on updating about the ANTA's role in helping the victims of Terai Movement. While in Kathmandu, I got an opportunity to write an article in the Kantipur Daily (attached herewith) and gave interviews in 3 FM radios.
They all wanted to know how we (Nepali diaspora) saw the recent Terai movement from seven seas across.... They appreciate your support from the bottom of their heart. So do I.
With Kindest regards,
Ratan Jha
President - ANTA
