Perform last rites, we’ve killed your son: Maoists

source kantipuronline


BY UPENDRA LAMICHHANE


NIJGADH, BARA, Dec 6 - As the whole country was gradually heaving a sigh of relief following an end to the wanton destruction of life and infrastructure during the insurgency, she was very much hopeful that her Maoist-turned son would come home soon.
But last Tuesday was the nadir of life for Tikamaya Karki of Lala in Ratanpuri-8 as she had to hear, beyond her worst fears, that her son Amar Bahadur had already been killed by none other than Maoists themselves, on the charge of "spying on them".

"We were waiting for his return as many other local youths who had joined the Maoists were also coming home," said the woman who was in total grief after hearing the sad news. "Instead, some other Maoist cadres came here and told me to carry out post-death rituals as they had killed my son on August 26, 2005 on a spying charge."

Karki said it was just Maoist fabrication to allege that her son was a spy. "He was so much devoted to their party that he even deserted his family, home and everything for its sake. How can they say such a thing now?" she asked. "If, instead, he was killed in battle, I would feel proud."

The Karkis, however, have not begun any death rituals for their son. "They should furnish plausible evidence as to what crime he committed for which he had to be killed," she said.

Demanding thorough probe and compensation, a grieving Karki also urged the government to begin probes into innumerable such deaths. "Even if it was proved he was a spy of the government, the latter should compensate for his death."

"But alas, there is nothing that will fully compensate for the lost life of my son," said she, weeping bitterly.