Gen Z Martyr's family calls for justice to dreams of lost one

Belbari (Morang), Nov 20: Shreeyam Chaulagain, a permanent resident of Laxmimarga in Belbari municipality-11 of Morang, is among the youths who attained martyrdom during the September 8–9 Gen Z movement.

It had only been a few years since his family had temporarily moved to Kathmandu for Shreeyam's further studies after he completed his SEE from his hometown. He was a 12th-grade student at Kathmandu's Global College when preparations for the Gen Z movement were underway. Still dressed in his school uniform, he took part in the protest. He collapsed in the New Baneshwor area after he was hit by gunfire, never to rise again.

He had been living with his parents: mother Ganga, 44, and father Ganesh Prasad, 52 in a rented room in Pepsicola-32 of Kathmandu metropolis. Ganesh is a transport entrepreneur by profession and the family had moved to Kathmandu solely for Shreeyam’s education, as he had always been an excellent student.

Now, Ganesh’s daily routine has changed these days. He has become actively involved in the Gen Z Martyrs’ Families Struggle Committee, fighting to justify the untimely death of his son. The committee has submitted a 14-point charter of demands, including free education, healthcare, and pensions for martyrs’ families. According to him, some of these demands have been addressed.

However, he said the Koshi Province Government and Belbari Municipality where the family originally belongs have not shown concern over such a significant political movement and the issues raised by the martyrs' families. “We want to feel that justice has been served,” he said.

He hopes to see the government and political parties unite to build the nation, in line with the aspirations of the Gen Z movement and its martyrs, who stepped forward demanding good governance for the country. As he expressed, their sacrifice should not go in vain, a sentiment shared by many.

Shreeyam's uncle in Laxmimarga, Rajan Chaulagain, said, “We lost our children, the nation lost promising youths; we all must contribute to materializing the dream of the martyrs.”

He wished for the government and political parties to work in unison towards building the nation realizing the objective for which Sriyam and other several youths had sacrificed their lives. 

Shreeyam had enthusiastically participated in the movement voicing for good governance and sustainable solution to the country, but unfortunately he never returned home. Shreeyam's uncle Rajan Chaulagain said, "We lost our kid; the country lost a bright youth. We all should work together to realize the dream of the martyrs." 

His maternal uncle Keshab Karki said, "He was outstanding in his studies. Apparently he had no interest in politics. Two days ago, he had indicated his sister abroad to join the protests during a conversation."

He further said, "Shreeyam joined the September 8 protests with a mission to give country an outlet but obtained martyrdom during the struggle." 

"I suddenly knew the news about the shooting at him. At the time, I was in the process of selecting players in the Tripureshwor-based Stadium," Karki narrated. 

He further recounted, "I myself reached the Trauma Centre where I found Shreeyam's name in the seventh number. 

It was like my head was about to burst. It took a long time for me to stabilize. I was occupied by the past memories with him. I could not dare to pass on the tragic news to the family members." 

Likewise, school principal Thaneswor Dhakal said, "Shreeyam was diligent and honest student. He was lovely for his mates and teachers." Shreeyam had spent only two academic years in the school. 

Principal Dhakal said the school has a plan to carry out some worthy works in commemoration of their student Chaulagain who sacrificed his life in course of the Gen Z Uprising. It may be noted that the government has already declared as martyrs the 45 youths who lost their lives during the protests announced by the Gen Z on last September 8-9. (RSS)