Case History: Durga Sob

On 3 August 2015, three human rights defenders were severely injured during a violent police crackdown on a peaceful protest.

The injured HRDs are Ms Kamala Hemchuri, Ms Durga Sob and Mr Ganesh BK. The protest called on the authorities to respect the political rights of the Dalit community and to include them in drafting the country’s new constitution.

On 3 August 2015, Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK were severely injured during the violent crackdown on protesters. The protest took place in Bijuli Bazar area of Kathmandu, where approximately 100 Dalit rights defenders gathered to protest against the preliminary draft of the country’s new constitution. This draft restricts the political rights of members of the Dalit community.

During the protest, approximately 150 police officers attacked the crowd. Those injured mostly received head injuries and were transported to the Civil Service Hospital in Kathmandu. Ganesh BK sustained a two inch long wound and was transferred to Kathmandu Model Hospital for further treatment. Kamala Hemchuri was beaten for over a minute and received a severe leg wound. She continues to receive treatment in hospital. Durga Sob also sustained injuries.

The government is planning to introduce a new constitution by the second week of August. Dalit rights defenders, who are united under the Joint Dalit Political Struggle Committee, held a series of protests demanding proportionate representation in the central and provincial governments and legislature organs, as the preliminary draft of the new constitution restricted their representation.