A four-year-old girl from Dhurkot Rural Municipality, who was found abandoned by the roadside a few days ago, remains in an uncertain condition.
A video showing the girl in a distressed state alongside her father, who had collapsed on the road due to alcohol consumption, went viral on social media on April 2. Following this, both father and daughter remained out of contact for some time.
Amid widespread pressure, the District Police Office, Gulmi, rescued the father and daughter from Galkot, Baglung, on April 8.
At present, the girl is under the care of the Amar Kalyan Community Women’s Service Center in Tamghas, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Narayan Prasad Adhikari of the District Police Office, Gulmi. The girl’s father has been sent to a rehabilitation center outside the district.
The girl’s parents had an inter-caste marriage. Her mother died by suicide about two years ago. Since then, as family members and relatives refused to take responsibility for her care, the child has been placed in the shelter.
According to the center, although the girl requires special care due to her young age, it has been difficult to provide long-term support due to a lack of budget. Anju Panthi, manager of the Amar Kalyan Women Development Cooperative, stated that the child is being cared for with limited resources.
Chairperson of Dhurkot Rural Municipality, Bhupal Pokhrel, emphasized the need for long-term protection through well-structured state institutions, considering the child’s age, social sensitivity, and future.