Protests Erupt in Ramechhap After Bus Crash Kills 12; Agreement Reached with Victims' Families

Twelve people died in a bus accident at Seleghat in Manthali Municipality, Ramechhap, on Tuesday. Relatives of the deceased protested throughout Wednesday in the district headquarters, Manthali.

Police fired warning shots and used tear gas to control the demonstration. An 8-point agreement was reached between the local administration and the victims' families late last night. Following the agreement, the relatives of the deceased have agreed to receive the bodies after post-mortem examinations.

Ramechhap DSP Bhola Bhatta told Ratopati that 10 victim families have filed applications to claim the bodies. He stated, 'The process of handing over the bodies after post-mortem is being initiated.' An agreement was reached between the District Security Committee, the victims' families, and Arniko Transport Service Pvt. Ltd. to ensure no shortcomings in the treatment of the injured.

Furthermore, it was agreed to immediately arrange compensation due by law to the families of the deceased and to negotiate with Arniko Transport Service Pvt. Ltd. for additional compensation. DSP Bhatta said, 'It has been decided that the District Security Committee will facilitate further compensation negotiations.'

It was also agreed that strict action would be taken against the driver and that the search for those missing in the accident would continue, with their families receiving compensation similar to that of the deceased. Three people are missing in the accident.

The passenger bus, bearing registration number Province-3-01-005 Kha 9975, which was traveling from Kathmandu to Okhaldhunga, plunged into the Tamakoshi river, resulting in three missing persons. According to relatives, the missing individuals are 24-year-old Bishal Sunuwar from Gupte-shwor, Umakunda Rural Municipality-6, Ramechhap; 8-year-old Remisa Tamang from Tilpung, Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-7; and 9-year-old Krichan Tamang from Manthali Municipality-2. Their relatives have filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Ramechhap, requesting a search operation.

Army teams and a diving team from the Armed Police Force have been mobilized for the search of the missing. Armed Police Force Deputy Spokesperson (DSP) Shailendra Thapa told Ratopati that 10 divers from the Disaster Management Base Khurkot, Sindhuli, have been deployed to the accident site.

The deceased in the accident include 21-year-old Bobi Tamang, 30-year-old Dipesh Basnet, Dipendra Basnet, Sanumaya Tamang, Tara Tamang, Ramita Tamang, 36-year-old Bhim Bahadur Tamang, and 45-year-old Man Kumari Baruwal, all from Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality, Ramechhap; 34-year-old Shiva Shrestha from Sindhuli; Man Bahadur Tamang from Dolakha; 16-year-old Sukrit Tamang residing in Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality; and 57-year-old Dharam Singh Sunuwar from Umakunda.