“Like We Are Not Nepali”

The Tikapur area has been under curfew since August 24. At the time of writing, the curfew
was in force from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Two Tharu journalists working for national media organizations alleged that on August 25
they were threatened by police on the streets of Tikapur, in separate incidents. 34 In one
case, members of a group made up of uniformed police officers as well as others not in
uniform said, “Bring petrol, let’s burn this bastard.”
There were limited attempts to take steps to prevent further violence. A visiting NHRC
commissioner organized a meeting in Dhangadhi on August 26 attended by officials as
well as community and civil society leaders. A government administrative officer
responsible for the Tikapur municipal area told Human Rights Watch that since August 24
he had organized at least two initiatives to promote trust and communal harmony,
participated in by members of both communities as well as the security forces. 35 These
included promptly rebuilding burnt stalls in the bazaar area and digging an irrigation canal.
However, the officer said that there was only so much the local administration could do,
since the grievances were political in nature and therefore beyond his power to address.
He also called on others including civil society to do more:
There is a real need for mediation and bringing down the tensions. As the
administration we have taken these initiatives but it might not be enough.
Village people are afraid to go to the town and town people are afraid to go
to the villages.
34 Human Rights Watch interview (names withheld), Tikapur, September 11, 2015.
35 Human Rights Watch interview with Suman Dhital, administrative officer, Tikapur, September 11, 2015.
23 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | OCTOBER 2015