Nepal
An Indian construction company has provided Rs1.6 million in compensation to the family of a Nepali boy who died after being hit by a stone that flew in a blast carried out for the widening of a road across the Mahakali River.
An agreement to this effect took place on Sunday among the Indian Garg & Garg Company, the Indian administration, members of the victim's family and local Nepali people's representatives.
A representative from the construction company handed the amount to the victim's family in the presence of authorities from both sides, said Chief District Officer Dirgharaj Upadhyay.
A nine-year-old Nepali boy, Pawan Mahara, died on the spot after being hit by a stone hurled from an explosion made during road construction on the Indian side.
The boy, along with his father, mother, brother and sister, was walking on the banks of the Mahakali River on the opposite side of the construction site in the Nepali territory when the incident occurred. It took place at Dumling of Byas Rural Municipality in Darchula district on Friday.
"We were walking on the river banks when the incident occurred. Daughter Sarina was injured in the incident. She is taking treatment at the district hospital," said the deceased's father, Hikmat.
"The construction company handed the compensation amount. They will be deposited in a joint bank account of the deceased's father and mother on Monday when banks are open," he said, adding that the amount would be used for his children's education.
Meanwhile, the Nepali side has expressed concern over the blasting carried out by the Indian side without warning.
According to standard international practice, neighbouring country (ies) should be informed about an explosion while constructing any physical structures along the international borders.
But, the Indian side did not inform about the use of explosive devices beforehand, the Nepali side claimed. "Local administration of both parties should coordinate before an explosion at international borders," said CDO Upadhyay.
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