Nirmala Nepali resides in the Hikuri Rural Municipality of Dang District. Her life took a drastic turn when, as a young girl, she ran away and married a man 15 years her senior. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter. Her husband worked as a fisherman, and the family relied on fishing for their livelihood. However, he was forced to give up his profession due to a severe allergy, following his doctor’s advice.
With her husband no longer able to work, Nirmala shouldered the burden of providing for the family. She engaged in hard labor and odd jobs to earn enough for household expenses. Over time, her husband sank into idleness and began drinking excessively. He not only stopped contributing to the household but also started taking Nirmala’s hard-earned money to fund his drinking. As his alcohol dependency worsened, he became abusive, subjecting Nirmala and the children to physical and emotional torment.
Feeling trapped because she had married him of her own choice, Nirmala endured the abuse, clinging to the hope that her sacrifices would secure a better future for her children. Yet, as time went on, the violence escalated. Her husband frequently demanded money, and if she refused, he threatened to kill her and the children.
Nirmala confided in her neighbor and friend, Shanti, sharing her fears and pain.
The Incident
On the 16th of Asoj, 2081 (October 2024), Nirmala earned 1,500 rupees through labor. After buying household essentials, she returned home. Her children wanted to eat meat, while her intoxicated husband demanded fish. Fearing a fight, she handed the remaining money to her husband and sent him to buy fish.
Nirmala prepared rice and lentils and waited for him to return. When he didn’t come home until late at night, she fed the children and put them to bed. He eventually stumbled in after 8 p.m., drunk and empty-handed. Enraged, he began to scold and beat her mercilessly.
Fearing for her life, Nirmala fled with her children to Shanti’s house, hiding there for the night. Her husband searched for them, threatening to kill her, but he could not find her.
Seeking Refuge
The next morning, Nirmala left Shanti’s house with her children and headed to her sister Sita’s home. Her arrival surprised her sister, as she had never visited since her marriage. Tearfully, Nirmala confided in Sita about the years of abuse she had endured. Her sister and family comforted her and encouraged her to stay with them. They planned to celebrate the upcoming Dashain festival together.
A few days later, Nirmala’s husband arrived at Sita’s house. He apologized for his behavior, promising never to repeat it. Sita and her family counseled him, urging the couple to reconcile and build a happy life. He agreed to leave Nirmala and the children at Sita’s house for Dashain, saying he would return to fetch them afterward.
The Attack
On October 24th, while Sita went to the hospital for a check-up, Nirmala and her sister’s daughter-in-law stayed home. Unexpectedly, her husband entered the house, intoxicated and enraged. He began beating and threatening Nirmala. When Sita’s daughter-in-law tried to intervene, he threatened her as well.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Nirmala ran to the kitchen, but her husband followed her with a large knife (khurpa). He attacked her viciously, inflicting deep cuts on her neck, hands, and legs. Despite her injuries, Nirmala managed to escape and run toward the village. Her husband chased her, shouting that he would kill her.
Terrified villagers hesitated to intervene until one brave neighbor, Chaudharni Bhauju, struck him with a heavy piece of wood, causing him to drop the knife. Seeing the crowd gather, her husband fled the scene.
The villagers rushed Nirmala to a nearby hospital and informed the police. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was referred to Bheri Hospital for further treatment.
Recovery and Support
At Bheri Hospital, Nirmala’s condition was critical. She had deep cuts on her neck, her left elbow was fractured, and two of her fingers were severed. She also sustained injuries to her hands, legs, and face. The One-Stop Crisis Management Center (OCMC) covered her medical and food expenses, while Sarvangeen Seva Samaj provided additional support, including medicine and nutritious food for her recovery.
Doctors recommended a diet rich in eggs and milk to aid her healing, but Sita, who accompanied her, struggled to afford these. Advocacy from Sarvangeen Seva Samaj ensured that OCMC provided the necessary nutrition for both Nirmala and her caregiver.
Thanks to timely medical care and organizational support, Nirmala’s health has improved significantly. Her husband is now in police custody, and Nirmala is receiving continued support during her recovery.
Nirmala and her family remain deeply grateful to OCMC and Sarvangeen Seva Samaj for their unwavering assistance. Despite her suffering, she now has hope for a safer and brighter future for herself and her children.
