Activist Rubi Khan on Hunger Strike Demanding Justice for Nirmala Kurmi

Kathmandu. Activist Rubi Khan is on a hunger strike at Sanjivani Medical College in Nepalgunj. Khan, who has been raising her voice for justice for Nirmala Kurmi, has publicly announced through social media that she is on a hunger strike with this demand.

Nirmala, whose maternal home is in India, was married in Nepalgunj. Her husband died in 2062 BS and her two sons in 2066 BS. In 2069 BS, the land in her name was transferred elsewhere. Provincial Assembly member Badshah Kurmi was also involved in the Nirmala case on allegations of a conspiracy to seize the land. The Rubi Khan group alleges that the group trying to seize the property abducted and disappeared Nirmala Kurmi. In 2079 BS, when Ravi Lamichhane was the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he had directed an investigation into this matter.

Two investigation teams from CIB investigated this issue and submitted reports. Police investigation revealed that Nirmala Kurmi married Arjun Kurmi ten years ago and went to India. Police claim that the investigation shows that Kurmi, who had settled with Arjun, who had come to Nepalgunj for labor, died in India in Chaitra 2076 BS.

According to officials involved in the investigation, a wedding photo and a death ceremony photo have been found. However, as the authenticity of the marriage and death registration certificates could not be confirmed, the committee led by DIG Dinesh Acharya and SSP Kamal Thapa submitted a report stating that Nirmala Kurmi died in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India, and therefore a murder case could not be filed in Nepal. Police have obtained documents from Kurmi's husband Arjun.

The CIB investigation committee had directed the District Police Office, Banke, to conduct further investigation into fraud, criminal gain and breach of trust, forgery, and money laundering in the Nirmala Kurmi case. Banke SP Angur GC said that documents are being sought from India and investigation is underway. Police claim that after Rubi Khan demanded that the police personnel involved in the investigation of the Kurmi case be sent back to the district, 4 police personnel involved in the investigation were assigned to Banke for the investigation of that incident in Kartik and Magh 2081 BS.

Regarding her hunger strike, Rubi wrote on social media, 'This indefinite hunger strike is against the irresponsible attitude of politicizing incidents related to violence against women and delaying or procrastinating the delivery of justice.' Currently, Rubi is in a cabin at Sanjivani Medical College.

'Dispute' Between Rubi and Police

On Baishakh 3, a group beat up Narayan Sharma, a teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Nepalgunj. Sharma, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-10, found his crops eaten by goats and tied up the goats. Before returning the goats, he asked the girl's parents to come and warned them not to let the goats roam freely. Then, a group of 20-25 people beat him and broke his left arm. Police arrested two people involved in the beating. Banke SP Angur GC claims that Rubi had requested that the arrested individuals not be prosecuted. GC said, 'After we arrested those involved in the attack and started an investigation into the indecent behavior towards the teacher, Rubi's group started protesting against the police in front of the District Administration Office.'

The protesters were from the Muslim side. When the Hindus from the victim teacher's side tried to retaliate, the police arrested Rubi. Rubi's group tried to file a complaint against the teacher, alleging that the teacher had confined the girl who had gone to get the goats and beaten her mother. When that complaint was not registered, they started a sit-in protest in front of the District Administration Office, Banke, demanding action against Banke SP GC from Baishakh 8, according to officials involved in the investigation.

Later, on Baishakh 12, Rubi held a press conference and presented 7 demands. During that time, she presented demands including advancing the investigation into Nirmala Kurmi's case. Banke SP GC says, 'The investigation into Nirmala Kurmi's case has not stopped; the investigation is progressing according to the CIB's investigation report.'

When the Hindu side tried to retaliate in front of the District Administration Office, the police confiscated Rubi's group's banner on Baishakh 15. Rubi, who was arrested on the same day, was released on bail on Baishakh 16. After this incident, she started her hunger strike.