8 January 2013. A glimmer of hope for justice has appeared for conflict victims as the police have arrested five alleged perpetrators in Dekendra Thapa murder case that occurred eight years ago. While three more perpetrators are still absconding, these five were arrested on 5 January 2013.
Dekendra’s wife Laxmi Thapa had filed an FIR on 28 August 2008 pinpointing Laxiram Gharti, Harilal Pun Magar, Birbahadur KC, Nirakbahadur Gharti Magar and Jaya Bahadur Shahi and three others as perpetrators. The police had so far failed to arrest them but finally they did so after Laxmi submitted a mandamus writ petition on 12 December 2012 at Appellate Court, Surkhet ordering the police to carry out prompt investigation. Laxiram was arrested in the beginning and he gave the police whereabouts of the four other alleged perpetrators. Based on the information, the police arrested them as well.
Justice for Dekendra and other conflict victims have got a big boost from this arrest. Laxiram Gharti, one of the arrested, provided his statement to the police and the public prosecutor saying that he and others had buried Dekendra alive after severely torturing him as per party instructions. He further added that he was eager to tell the truth to authorities regarding the murder. He also said that he was ready to face any punishments so that Dekendra’s soul would rest in peace. An alleged perpetrator of serious violation of human rights willing to come to justice will give a positive message in the struggle for justice carried out by victims of conflict.
Advocacy Forum has been providing legal assistance to the victim family in the case.
