14 Jestha, Khotang – The victims wounded in the shooting incident that occurred 25 years ago in Khotang during the protest against the Lauda airplane purchase case have yet to receive compensation. On Jestha 13, 2058 BS (May 27, 2001), a torch rally demonstration in Diktel opposing the Lauda airplane purchase was fired upon by police, injuring four individuals. These injured protesters have not been compensated to date.
The wounded included Dipnarayan Rizal from Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-6 Nerpa, Dipendra Rai from Ward 2 Solma, Bidyamani Tamang from Ward 13 Nunthala, and Pratap Rai from Kapilasgadhi Rural Municipality-2 Khartamcha. On Baisakh 8, 2079 BS (April 21, 2022), the National Human Rights Commission resolved to grant each of the four injured individuals NPR 100,000 as compensation and recommended the same to the Government of Nepal on Jestha 17, 2079 BS (June 1, 2022). Despite four years passing since the recommendation, the victims have yet to receive any state compensation, Rizal has lamented. At the time of the incident, they filed a complaint with the Commission demanding action against the police officer who fired the shots and called for compensation.
The movement arose after the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s government irregularly decided to purchase Lauda aircraft, prompting protests by six leftist groups. During the protests in Khotang, the UML and Janamorcha parties staged torch rallies as a form of resistance. During this demonstration, police opened fire indiscriminately, injuring four students. Among the wounded, Pratap passed away on Magh 28, 2062 BS (February 11, 2006). On the 25th anniversary of the Lauda case, an interaction and reunion program with the injured families was held in Diktel on Wednesday. Organized by Hotel Shubhdin Parivar, the event brought together the families of all four injured, eyewitnesses, and leaders in Kathmandu for a discussion.
The torch rally held in the evening demanding the resignation of the then Prime Minister over alleged embezzlement in the Lauda plane deal was shot at by police in front of the District Police Office while returning from Hatdanda in Diktel. During the rally, Dipendra suffered gunshots wounds to both legs and hands, Dipnarayan to his left leg, Bidyamani to her left leg, and Pratap to the left arm near his elbow. Dipendra sustained severe leg injuries, and his deep gunshot wound remains visible to this day. At the time of the incident, both Dipnarayan and Dipendra were actively involved in student politics and remain politically engaged. Bidyamani, then an 11-year-old student studying in grade 6, and 8-year-old Pratap, studying in UKG, were among the injured. The shooting during the Lauda case protests is locally remembered as the Diktel Shooting Incident.
Caption: Dipnarayan Rizal (right) and Dipendra Rai injured in the Lauda case along with their families.
