HELPLESS WIDOW WAITS FOR COMPENSATION
By Kashi Ram Dangi

December 9, 2002 – (Kathmandu Post) Amrita Roka, 32, of Jelwang village Rolpa has moist eyes since the death of her husband who was out to help the security personnel a month ago. Leading an agonising life, she is seen loitering in the district headquarters, Liwang expecting compensation for her husband’s death.

A helpless widow Roka is now burdened with the Herculean task of single-handedly bringing up her two small daughters. The other question troubling her is the identity of the people behind the death of her husband, Warles Roka, 31.

It was on September 24 that a group of Royal Nepal Army (RNA) reached Jelwang village in the morning. The RNA group asked the villagers to help them. "That was the horrible day in my life. I happened to lose my spouse, on that ill fated day," said a desperate Amrita.

The villagers provided the available things demanded by the army and also helped them carry their belongings as commanded by the army.

Some males from the village joined the army to the west. All of those escorting the army returned except Warles Roka. It was only after three
days that the villagers located the dead body of Roka in the Munwang jungle area of Jaimakasala-4.

"There were deep wounds made by sharp weapons on his head," Amrita said. Though the villagers performed the final rites of her husband, the killers are not yet known, said an aggrieved Amrita adding that the security sources suspect the Maoist to be behind this incident while the
rebels have not expressed their responsibility on this case.

"I filed reports of the murder of my husband in the District Administration Office (DAO) as well as the security officials, however there have been no responses, yet," said Amrita.

Though assured of compensation, she has received nothing yet, according to Amrita.

From: http://www.mahilaweb.org/footer/news/dec_02/kathmandu_post.htm