Nepalese Municipality Renames Intersection in Memory of Hostage Killed by Hamas

Kanchanpur. The Bhimdatta Municipality has named a junction 'Bipin Chowk' in memory of Bipin Joshi from Kanchanpur, who died while being held hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The junction located at the main intersection of the road leading to the deceased Bipin's home, the East-West Highway, and the Brahmadev Link Road, has been named Bipin Joshi Chowk. Following the decision of the Bhimdatta Nagar Executive, the municipality and ward office formally named the junction on Friday and installed a board bearing Bipin Joshi's name. The construction of a statue of Bipin will be undertaken at the same location, informed Gagan Dhami, Ward Chairman of Bhimdatta Municipality-3. According to him, the municipality has already allocated a budget of NPR 200,000 for the statue's construction.

“The Executive decided to name a junction after Bipin in his memory and build a statue,” said Chairman Dhami. “Accordingly, Bipin Chowk has been named, and the work of installing the statue will be completed in some time.” Earlier, Padam Bogati, Mayor of Bhimdatta Municipality, had committed to erecting a statue in memory of Bipin. Bipin's father, Mahananda Joshi, elder brother Kishor Joshi, and other family members were present at the Bipin Chowk declaration program. Ward Chairman Dhami also informed that the Bhimdatta Municipal Executive has recommended to the Federal Government through the District Administration Office to declare Bipin a martyr.

Forty-nine students from the Agriculture Faculty of Sudurpashchim University had gone to Israel two years ago under the 'Learn and Earn' program. Less than a month after arriving in Israel, they came under attack by Hamas. Ten students died in the Hamas attack, and Bipin was taken hostage. Bipin died while in captivity.

In October last year, as part of the first phase of the Middle East peace plan proposed by the United States while ending the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, an agreement was reached to release hostages and Palestinian prisoners, following which Hamas handed over Bipin's body.