Kathmandu, November 13
Families of those killed in Thursday morning’s microbus accident at Chisapani Gadhi in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality, Makwanpur, have refused to collect the bodies, demanding compensation and other support from the government.
Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari said the families had demanded Rs 1 million in compensation for each deceased victim, government-funded treatment for the injured and employment opportunities for family members.
Adhikari said he had informed the families that compensation could be provided only in accordance with the provisions of the law. However, the families were demanding additional compensation.
The death toll from the accident has reached 14 after a microbus bearing registration number Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880 plunged around 500 metres off the road. There were 20 people, including the driver, on board when the accident occurred.
Six people were injured and are receiving treatment at hospitals in Hetauda, Bharatpur and Kathmandu, according to Makwanpur Police.
The bodies of all 14 victims have been kept at the mortuary of Hetauda Hospital. Their relatives have also gathered at the hospital premises.
The district administration suspects that political interests may be influencing the families’ demands following the accident, which it believes was caused by the driver’s negligence.
On Thursday, local leader Sanjay Yadav from Sarlahi led the families in putting forward their demands, including calls for government compensation. The administration said the families also refused to allow post-mortem examinations to be conducted on the bodies on Thursday.
Chief District Officer Adhikari said the administration would proceed with post-mortem examinations and manage the bodies in accordance with the law if the families did not accept the compensation prescribed by law.
