A Youth in Birgunj Burned Alive by Nepal Police[Video]
This transcript of the video interview describes how Mihir Kumar Karn, a resident of Birgunj was burned alive by members of Nepal Police for defying curfew on the 3rd of November. Karn explained to the police officers that he is on his way to the hospital to pick up his mother and sister-in-law. Ignoring this, the police officers physically assaulted him, made him unconscious and threw him in a burning rubber tyre, lit by protesters. He was thankfully brought to the hospital by an unknown individual and is undergoing treatment for severe burns.
I wasn’t even finished explaining the situation to the police when this officer started kicking me.
Most media-based in Kathmandu have not reported about this incident. Hulakinews ran a story, however with title, “वीरगंजमा प्रहरीले युवकलाई कुटपिट गरी आगोमा फाले“. Below is a transcript of thevideo interview, transcribed from Maithili to English by Avinash Mishra of Madhesi Youth.
[Summary]
Q.Where is your home?
I live in Murli, Birgunj-15.
Q.How did this incident happen to you?
I was on my way to the hospital to pick up my sister-in-law who had gone there for a check-up. My mother was there too, so I and my brother were going on two motorbikes to pick them up. I saw some motorbikes on the road despite the curfew, so I thought it was going to be okay.
When I reached near the army barracks which was on the way, I could see a silver colored Armed Police Force (APF) van stationed outside. A police officer got out of the van and asked me to park the motorbike on the side. I complied. Another officer then asked me, “Why are you roaming around during a curfew?” I replied that I wasn’t just roaming around and was actually on my way to pick up my mother and sister-in-law from the hospital.
The officer who asked me to park my motorbike, verbally abused me and said ma@#$!*$* (“Mother@#$!*) madhise, protester, and kicked me on the back of my neck.
They hit me with their boots, all over my face and I started bleeding. I passed out only to wake up again at Narayani Hospital. They asked me for my brother’s contact number and they called him. I don’t even know who brought me to the hospital.
Q.Is the identity of the person who brought you here known to you ?
I just know that this lady saw the police officers assaulting me and later throw me in the remainder of a burning rubber tyre lit during the protests. That is how half of my face and hands are severely
burnt.
Q.Were you aware of the curfew?
Yes, I was aware of the curfew, but some motorbikes were still running and I had to pick up my mother and sister-in-law from the hospital.
Q.Didn’t you tell the police that it was important since you had to go to the hospital to pick them up?
Yes, I told the police this exact thing. I wasn’t even finished explaining the situation to the police when this officer started kicking me.
Q.Do you know the officer who did this to you ?
I may recognize the officer I was talking to if I see him again or the same battalion and hear them speak.
Q.Were you involved in the protests?
No, I wasn’t Involved in the protests.
Q.Do you have other injuries besides your face?
Yes, I have severe burns on my face and internal injury/pain all over my body.
[the featured image belongs to Hulaki News]
