The Gen-Z protest, which began nationwide demanding an end to corruption and the establishment of good governance, also reached Karnali Province. Violent incidents during the protests have caused significant damage to both government and private property. Santosh Bohora, 26, of Thaudi in Birendranagar Municipality-2, Surkhet is currently battling between life and death in the ICU of a hospital after the movement.
Bohora was injured when a police-fired bullet struck his right eye during the protest on 9 September in Itram, of Birendranagar-7. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital. According to doctors, he has lost the vision in both eyes and can no longer live independently. He is also facing difficulty eating and moving without assistance. According to his family, although the hospital administration has waived all in-hospital expenses, they are facing financial difficulties purchasing medicines and blood that are unavailable within the hospital.
Santosh’s family is in poor financial condition. They own only a 6805 Sq.Km (five-kattha) plot of land and a house. He was unemployed and had already paid Rs. 300,000 to a manpower agency to go to Croatia for employment. His wife, Nirmala, said that after informing the agency about the incident that occurred during the protest, the amount was returned. Nirmala has studied veterinary science but is currently unemployed. She said that her husband’s condition resulted from the movement against corruption and for good governance. With the responsibility of her husband, daughter, and in-laws now on her shoulders, she has urged the government to provide employment opportunities and proper support for the care and treatment of the injured.
During the protest on 9 September, 21-year-old Dil Bahadur Khatri was injured when a police-fired bullet struck his neck and arm at around 3 p.m. in Itram, Birendranagar Municipality-7 Surkhet. Originally from Riju, of Dullu Municipality-5 in Dailekh, he had been living in Erichowk, of Birendranagar-3, Surkhet, and was studying the Korean language in preparation to work in Korea.
Khatri was treated at Karnali Provincial Hospital and has since returned home. His medical expenses were fully covered by the hospital. The INSEC Karnali Provincial Office has been documenting incidents of vandalism and arson that occurred during the protest. According to the recorded data, 35 people were injured in Karnali Province during the movement, 18 of whom sustained gunshot injuries.
During the protest, government offices, political party offices, private houses, and vehicles were also damaged. In Karnali Province, 29 government offices, 20 political party office buildings, and 8 houses were vandalized or set on fire. Likewise, 13 government vehicles, 19 motorcycles, as well as fire trucks, ambulances, hearses, bulldozers, tempos, and private vehicles were also torched.
The violent incidents that occurred during the protest have caused extensive damage to lives and property. Citizens are experiencing a sense of insecurity, and their daily lives and businesses have been severely affected. It is essential for the government and concerned authorities to ensure proper relief and medical support for the affected families and to take necessary steps to restore peace, security, and justice.