Family members of Guman Singh Rana of Pipe in Khalanga-8, who went missing 16 years ago, are still waiting for his return. His mother Dhani, 64, said she is still living with the hope that her son will return home one day.

Deepa Kami of Rawatgaun Khalanga-9 is also waiting for the return of her husband Khambe, who went missing years ago.

Like Dhani and Deepa, 11 families in the area are living with the hope that their missing kin will return home soon.

“We want his body even if he is dead,” Dhani said, speaking at a programme organised by Red Cross on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared in the district on Sunday. Hari Bahadur Basnet of Jajarkot Red Cross said family members of those who went missing are still going through several hardships.

Three hundred and eighty-four people lost their lives during the decade long armed conflict in the district. The victims’ families said the government provided Rs 1 million to the each missing person’s family but did nothing to ensure their education, treatment and employment.

Subidha Batala said the families of the missing people are facing difficulties earning their livelihood. “No one supports the victim’s families,” she said.