KANCHANPUR, March 13: Govinda Gautam who was killed by the Indian Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in the Kanchanpur incident was cremated with state honors on the banks of the Doda River on Sunday.

Thousands of locals from Kailali and Kanchanpur reached the cremation site to pay their heartfelt condolence to Gautam. His seventy-two years old father Khim Lal Gautam performed the final rituals. Later, Gautam was honored with 11 gun salutes.

A large mass of people marched from Dhangadhi to the Doda River for the funeral. Major markets of Dhangadhi remained closed as people gathered at various places to pay tribute to Gautam. People chanted slogans against the Indian government during the march. It became a tough task for the security personnel's to manage the crowd and conduct the rituals. 

Security was tightened to control any untoward incident as the people marched by the Gauri Phanta border area. Govinda Rijal, chief district officer of Kailali was staying at Tri Nagar Police station which lies in the border area to ensure security. “We are glad that the funeral went really peaceful as we wanted,” said Rijal. 

On Sunday family members and relatives were furious with the government when an old tipper used for picking rags was sent to their home. Locals had even staged demonstrations in various places accusing the government for disrespecting Gautam. But later another tipper was arranged for the march.

Gautam was declared a martyr on March 10.Though there was active participation of people in Gautam's funeral no political leaders and high government officials were present there. 

“He lost his life fighting for Nepali land and the government should honor his sacrifice,” said Lokendra Lamsal, a local leader. He accused the home minister of ignoring the issue as he has not yet visited the border after the incident. According to him political leaders skipped the funeral as they don't want to go against the Indian government. 

“How can we expect such cowardice politicians to take care of the citizens when they can't even dare to take part in the funeral of a martyr?” asked Netra Prasad Poudel, a local.

Thirty years old Gautam of Anand Bazaar was shot dead by Indian SSB during a clash which took place when SSB forcefully tried to demolish a culvert nearby Anand Bazaar on Thursday. Indian Police opened fire at him on the Nepali territory.

 
• govinda gautam
 
• kanchanpur
 
• sashastra seema bal