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A complaint against Arun Gurung, Ashish Gurung, Rajesh Gurung, Asmita Gurung, and Devi Gurung was registered on August 5, for breaking into Bishal Pariyar’s house in Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-8, Lwang and practicing caste-based discrimination. Although the incident occurred on the night of July 25, the case was officially registered on August 5, ten days later. Bishal Pariyar, the victim, stated that after their complaint under attempted killing was not registered initially on July 26, they filed a complaint under beating. Subsequently, on 5 August, they registered a complaint with the assistance of various social organizations.

INSEC Gandaki Province Coordinator Shiva Khakurel and Human Rights Commission Gandaki Chief Nitu Gadtaula visited Manipal Teaching Hospital on August 4 to assess the victim’s conditions. It is alleged that the Ward Police Office in Bagar did not file the complaint due to pressure from the accused side. However, Bishal Pariyar reported that the District Police Office, Kaski, registered their complaint after a delay of ten days after the ward refused to classify it as an attempted killing.

On the afternoon of July 25 in Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-8 Lwang, a general dispute occurred between 19-year-old Bishal Pariyar (the victim) and Amrit Gautam while they were playing volleyball at the Barahi Basic School playground. At that time, Bishal alleged that Arun Gurung made discriminatory comments based on his caste and threatened to kill him. Bishal’s family claims that later that day, Gurung and a group of individuals came to their house and assaulted him over the earlier incident. Furthermore, Bishal stated, ‘On that day, while Arun Gurung was playing, he said they wouldn’t allow me to play because of my caste and insulted me. There was also a general dispute over this. However, at 10 p.m., under Arun Gurung’s leadership, they broke into our house by smashing windows and doors with homemade weapons such as rods, spades, and wooden sticks. They assaulted my 35-year-old mother, Sumitra Pariyar, my 13-year-old sister, Batti Kumari Pariyar, and me, causing bleeding injuries.

Bishal’s mother, Sumitra, was hospitalized for about 10 days and was discharged after treatment. Initially, she was taken to Metro City Hospital and later referred to Manipal Teaching Hospital for further care. Although she was kept there for five days and returned home, she had to be readmitted to the hospital on August 3. She was discharged again on August 5.

Two of the five accused in the beating have been arrested. The District Police Office Kaski reported that Ashish and Rajesh were arrested on July 26, and the investigation is ongoing. However, Arun Gurung, Asmita Gurung, and Devi Gurung are still absconding, according to SP Mohan Thapa.

Sanjaya Ranabhatt