7. The Tikapur, Kailali Incident

This isn't the first time I have heard about people dying in Nepal. I grew up learning the news about people dying in one place or another from different sources; television, radio, my parents, strangers in the coffee shop. I grew up during the 10 years long civil war period in Nepal. There used to be thousands of headlines that were differently worded everyday; however, the meaning remained the same.

Back then I was just a child and I couldn't just contemplate what dying meant. It was just another headline for me, just another topic that old men would converse about in the coffee shop next day or in the family gatherings.

Over the period of time more of them have died but their deaths have been more meaningful to me with each passing day.

I learnt about the Tikapur incident via internet today. First post I learnt read, four police officers dying. It wasn't able to catch my attention just yet because sadly, I hear that kind of news every other day. I silently prayed for their soul to rest in peace and went on to do whatever I was doing. The next time I logged into the Facebook after few hours, there was a follow up to the same news, 21 dead and still counting.

I knew something was wrong, first thought that came to my mind was a year ago incident of Pakistan when the kids had been killed by the terrorists in the school. I don't know why but my unconscious related the two stories. I scrolled down my news feed instead of clicking on the link. I was too afraid. My news feed was filled with the posts of people showing their disgust towards the murders and government, shameful that they had to call themselves the part of this country.

A part of me felt the same because had this been 10 years ago, I could've avoided the news. I would have been too small. But now, I have not only grown up but have become older and wiser. I have learnt a lot about the world. I know what it's like to live. I know what it's like to lose something close to your heart, I know what it's like to have near death experience and I know what a family of the deceased go through.

As I kept scrolling I learnt about the death of two years old little child. The child should have been more clueless than I was, 10 years ago.

I texted a friend who lives there to make sure that her family was okay. And right now, I am overwhelmed with whatever I have learnt in past few hours. I sit in front my computer and let my fingers move in sync with my mind which is occupied with every one who died today. I can't help but think about their family, their aspirations, what they might have planned for tomorrow.

I don't know what the reason for their death was. I don't know why a little child was a part of this. I don't know what their demands are and whether or not they should be met.  All I know is no one should have died. All I know is no one should have killed anyone so brutality. All I know is this has to stop.