Dalit protesters impose Gulmi bandh

Dec-28th-2011
GULMI: Life in Gulmi is out of gear since Wednesday morning due to the daylong strike imposed by Dalit Sajha Manch Gulmi in a bid to protest the killing of Manbir Sunar.

Sunar, a Dalit man, was thrashed to death in Kalikot on December 10 after he allegedly entered the kitchen of a local hotel run by the so-called upper class people to light his cigarette.

Disappointed over the practice of harsh caste-system in the 21th century which even took the form of murder, Dalit Sajha Manch has demanded immediate action against the slayers.

The Manch has floated a 4-point demand which includes: to compensate the victim’s family; to declare the deceased a martyr; to book the guilty; and to guarantee the higher education and job employment to Sunar’s children.

Interestingly, the government has already decided to provide Rs. 1 million as relief to the kin of Manbir Sunar.

The meeting of the Council of Minister on Tuesday directed the concerned authority to book the guilty in Sunar murder case at the earliest.

Cabinet also took a decision to form a separate untouchability unit at the office of the Council of Ministers and to launch a special campaign to eliminate untouchability from the society.

Nevertheless, all the educational institutions, markets, transportations, industries in the district have been brought to grinding halt.

Some of the passengers heading to Butwal and Kathmandu s have been stranded at Tamghas, confirmed sources.

Himalayan.