Ruby reaches deal with govt, ends hunger strike

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 21: Ruby Khan, a rights activist from Banke, ended her 23-day hunger strike on Wednesday after reaching a five-point agreement with the government to meet her demands, including a fair investigation into the alleged abduction and murder of Nirmala Kurmi of Banke. 

Khan had been staging hunger strike at Sanjeevani College of Medical Sciences in Nepalgunj, Banke. She agreed to call off her fast-onto-death following continuous negotiations with a special government delegation since Monday. 

She broke her hunger strike after Dipa Dahal, Press and Research Advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, offered water to her.

The delegation comprised Additional Inspector General of Police Sushil Singh Rathour from the Police Headquarters, Joint Secretary and spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs Ananda Kafle and PM’s Press and Research Advisor Dahal. 

A formal agreement was signed between the Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary Kafle and Khan, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed. 

Khan began the hunger strike on April 28, putting forward a nine-point demand. Her demands include the immediate registration of court cases relating to the alleged murders of Nirmala Kurmi and Gudiya Kahar, the filing of supplementary complaints against three additional individuals and a fair investigation into the case of minor Dipesh Chamar, who allegedly died due to lack of medical treatment and action against doctors accused of referring patients elsewhere without providing treatment.

Following the agreement, Khan expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Shah and the government representatives, said Dahal. 

According to the agreement, the investigation carried out so far into the case concerning the alleged abduction and murder of Nirmala, registered at the District Police Office, Banke, on April 2, 2021, will be reviewed and taken forward through judicial procedures as soon as possible.

Similarly, regarding other incidents raised by Khan during her hunger strike, the government has committed to having the Lumbini Province Police Office in Dang conduct investigations, Dahal informed. 

“If any weaknesses or negligence are found during the inquiry, legal action will be taken against the concerned police personnel in accordance with police regulations,” the agreement stated.

The agreement also stated that instructions will be issued to promptly conclude the investigation into the case of ‘offence against public peace’ registered against Khan at the District Police Office, Banke.

In relation to this case, the Police Headquarters will also investigate the role of the chief of the District Police Office, Banke, the Superintendent of Police and other officials, and disciplinary action will be initiated if any misconduct is found.

Likewise, the agreement includes provisions to direct the District Police Office and District Administration Office in Banke to ensure the security of Khan and other women’s rights activists campaigning for justice for Nirmala. 

Representatives from various organisations working in the fields of human rights and women’s rights signed the agreement as witnesses.

Nirmala’s case sparks repeated protests

Nirmala’s case has sparked repeated protests in Banke over the years, with rights activists continuously demanding legal action against the accused and justice for the victim’s family. 

Activists had previously reached agreements with the former governments five times regarding action against those allegedly involved in the case. However, none of the agreements were implemented. 

Rights activists describe the events surrounding Nirmala’s family as extremely tragic. After the death of her husband, Mahalu Kurmi, in 2062 B.S., Nirmala lost her two sons, Ramsagar and Suresh, within a span of four years. It is also alleged that she was subjected to assault, threats, and unlawful confinement.

According to rights activists, Nirmala’s citizenship certificate, land ownership documents, and even the death registration certificates of her family members were seized.

 In 2075 B.S., she mysteriously disappeared. Although rumours later spread that she had died in India, her actual whereabouts and fate remain unknown.

Activists allege that the family faced a series of violent incidents aimed at seizing Nirmala’s substantial property holdings. 

They have long claimed that Nepali Congress leader Badshah Kurmi was allegedly involved in the case and have been protesting for years, demanding action.

According to them, on February 3, 2010, Badshah Kurmi publicly harassed Nirmala while she was returning from the District Administration Office. It is alleged that she was then abducted and held captive at a house before being rescued by police the following day. 

When no immediate action was taken over the incident, women’s rights activists staged protests. It is said that Badshah later publicly apologised and returned the confiscated documents.

However, activists claim that the threats and psychological harassment continued even after that. Nirmala reportedly shared her concerns repeatedly with rights activists. Eventually, on 25 Magh 2075 B.S., she suddenly disappeared.

In April 2, 2021, the Women’s Rights Forum filed a complaint with the Banke Police alleging that Badshah Kurmi had abducted Nirmala, taken her to India, and murdered her. 

Subsequently, in October, 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed an investigation committee led by Joint Secretary Hiralal Regmi. The committee recommended an investigation against Badshah Kurmi.

Later, in March, 2023 a special investigation team led by Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Acharya completed its inquiry. However, rights activists continue to criticise the government, stating that the case has still not been filed in court.