[420 Girl]

Over three dozen Nepalis currently languishing in Bharaich jail in India have claimed innocence.

They said they have been falsely charged with smuggling drugs.

Those in the jail have not been allowed to meet their relatives and also been disallowed from sending letters or messages to their families in Nepal.

Altogether 44 persons including nine women are in the jail on the charge of smuggling marijuana and hashish. They are forced to work in the jail.

The local district court has already slapped a 10-year jail and IRs 100,000 in fine on Kusum KC, 30, of Ghorahi Municipality, Dang. KC is among the nine women. Authorities have initiated legal action against the remaining eight women as well.

"I had gone to meet my brother in-law, who lives in Shimla. Police arrested me although I was not carrying anything illegal. They asked me to sign a paper saying that they would help me release from the jail," said Kusum. "I don’t have money and friends to appeal on my behalf."

As per the existing Indian law, those convicted of drugs smuggling are given 10 years jail and fine ranging between IRs 100,000 to IRs 5 million.

Pema Tamang, 35, of Labha-3 in Dhading district said police arrested her when she was having breakfast at a local hotel. They alleged that a bag that was found abandoned at the hotel belonged to her. Tamang is in the jail for the past three years.

"I insisted that the bag was not mine but they tortured me,” Tamang said with eyes welled up with tears. "There is no one to help secure my release."

Most women in the jail do not know Hindi. They are living in a pitiable condition. They have requested to the government of Nepal to secure their release.

While Sunita Shrestha, Chanda Thapa and Bhim Sara are in the Indian penitentiary for the past two years, Nirmala Rokaya and Mina Chaudhary are serving jail terms for the past six months.

The victims alleged that no one from Nepal had paid attention towards their plight.


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