- The Nepal government and victims' families signed a seven-point agreement, ending protests and allowing funeral rites following the fatal Dewanganj shooting incident.
- Each bereaved family will receive NPR 1 million, employment for one member, and the government will initiate the process to declare the victims martyrs.
- Authorities committed to an impartial investigation, prosecution of those responsible, and a review of the local madrasa's legal status in Dewanganj.
- The government will coordinate with local authorities to build a memorial park, while families emphasize that true justice requires a transparent, legal outcome.
Biratnagar, Nepal: The Government of Nepal and the families of two men killed in the Dewanganj shooting incident reached a seven-point agreement early Friday, ending days of protests and paving the way for the victims' funeral rites after the bereaved families agreed to receive the bodies.
The agreement was signed at around 5:00 a.m. following overnight negotiations between Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and the victims' families. The document was signed by Home Minister Gurung, Kushdev Mehta, the guardian of the late Om Prakash Mehta, and Naresh Mehta, the guardian of the late Jai Prakash Mehta.
Om Prakash Mehta and Jai Prakash Mehta were killed in a shooting incident that occurred on July 25 in Kaptanganj, Ward No. 3 of Dewanganj Rural Municipality in Sunsari district. Following the incident, the victims' relatives and local residents launched protests, demanding an impartial investigation, legal action against those responsible, and justice for the bereaved families. Refusing to perform the last rites until their demands were met, the families kept the bodies at the hospital for several days.
Under the agreement, the government has committed to immediately initiating the process of declaring both victims martyrs. Each bereaved family will receive NPR 1 million in compensation, while one qualified member from each family will be provided with an employment opportunity in accordance with prevailing laws and procedures.
The agreement further states that authorities will conduct a fair, impartial, and effective investigation into the July 25 shooting and ensure that those found responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law. It also provides for an investigation into the legal status of the madrasa in Dewanganj-3 and other issues related to the institution.
In addition, the government has agreed to implement the recommendations of the investigation committee in accordance with the law. It will also coordinate with the local government to construct a memorial park in honor of the two victims. The funeral rites are scheduled to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
Although the agreement has ended several days of protests, the victims' families said their primary expectation remains justice rather than compensation or official recognition.
Relatives said that while financial assistance, employment opportunities, and the proposed declaration of martyrdom reflect the state's responsibility toward the victims, such measures cannot compensate for the loss of their loved ones. They stressed that justice can only be achieved through a transparent investigation, the disclosure of the full facts surrounding the shooting, and legal action against those responsible.
The government now faces the challenge of not only implementing the commitments outlined in the agreement but also ensuring a credible and impartial investigation that brings those responsible to justice and restores public confidence in the rule of law. The timely implementation of the agreement and the outcome of the investigation will be crucial in determining whether justice is ultimately delivered to the victims' families and whether public trust can be restored within the affected community.
