Kapilvastu OHCHR report

Of course by now (if a little too late) we have all heard about the Kapilvastu Carnage, and how appaling it is. we also know well that 5000 or so pahadi people were displaced. Here's something we do not like to know... guess where all the aid (and our attention) is going.

well, as they say - IGNORANCE IS BLISS (or if you are into orwell, ignorance is knowledge).

Here's excerpts from OHCHR report...

The killing of local leader Moin Khan, President, Democratic Madhesi Mukti Morcha, on 16 September triggered violence between different groups in Kapilvastu, which spread to Dang on 20 September. Indefinite curfews were imposed by the district administration in Kapilvastu and Dang to curb the violence.

Figures on the death toll in Kapilvastu range between 21 and 31 killed, with around 25 reported injured. The Ministry of Home Affairs has recorded the destruction of 325 houses and shops in six village development committees, along with 155 vehicles torched and vandalized by mobs since 16 September. The Ministry also reports 20 houses being damaged in Dang district.

The Home Ministry reports that there are around 1,500 individuals displaced in Kapilvastu and 800 individuals displaced in Dang. However, other field sources estimate up to 5,000 individuals, mostly of hill (pahadi) origin, displaced in Kapilvastu and up to 900 displaced, mostly from the Muslim community, in Dang. Unconfirmed reports indicate anywhere between 5,000 – 7,000 individuals fleeing to India. Until the afternoon of 25 September the IDPs had been largely concentrated in ad-hoc camps; either inside area police offices or in local schools (please refer to the attached map for locations of the camps). During the afternoon of 25 September, based on a decision between political parties and security forces, many of the IDPs from Chandrauta camp were taken by truck to a new location closer to their original homes. It seems that many of the IDPs were unhappy with the move, though were given little option; an issue of concern that the UN raised with Home Ministry officials.

Overall the security situation has improved; curfews have been lifted during the daytime in both districts, but gatherings of more than five people are still prohibited.

Educational institutions in Kapilvastu were opened from 25 September - nine days after the riots started. Goodwill rallies are being organized by various civil society groups in Dang.