INSEC and CWIN have drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission regarding the death of a two-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, and injuries to two other children due to the explosion on August 29, 2024, in Phalelung Rural Municipality-5, Dandagaon.
In the attention letter, it is stated that based on the joint fact-finding by CWIN Nepal and INSEC, it was found that four injured children were transported from the incident to the local health post, Phidim District Hospital, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, and Koshi Provincial Hospital. However, Prinsha and Dipsan died on the way, and the seriously injured Dipson Rai (7) and Pawan Rai (11) were taken to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan and Koshi Provincial Hospital, respectively. In this process, it has been found that Pawan’s mother and Dipsan’s father took their sons to the hospital without any assistance but had to return home due to a lack of finances. With the help of the local police, they were readmitted to Phidim District Hospital. Intensive treatment for the children was only arranged after representatives from CWIN Nepal and INSEC arrived and facilitated the process. It is noted that, with the joint initiative of CWIN and INSEC, arrangements have been made for treatment at Kirtipur Hospital, with the children being transferred from Phidim District Hospital to Kathmandu on September 4, 2024.
Similarly, the indifference of the government and related agencies before the representatives of CWIN and INSEC reached the scene has raised serious questions. After the incident, apart from directing the families to the hospital, no agency provided concrete support to these poor and helpless families, and it was observed that the children who were taken to the hospital had to be sent back home. The lack of attention to this incident and the state’s failure to take responsibility for the affected families is a matter of serious concern. The attention letter mentions that those who understand this incident from the remnants of the conflict in a normal way and are negligent in the treatment of the injured should be subject to serious review, and the guilty parties should be prosecuted. INSEC and CWIN have met with the executive director of the hospital, Gauri Pradhan, the doctors, and the victims’ families regarding the condition of the children at Kirtipur Hospital, where the injured children are being treated. According to Dr. Shankarman Rai, the injured children have undergone surgery, and their condition is improving.