During the insurgency, 57 villagers were killed at the hands of the state force and the Maoist rebels.  The murder of local Nepali Congress (NC) activist, Krishna Bahadur Budha, was one of the first civilian deaths recorded in the conflict’s history. Budha was killed by the Maoist insurgents in 2052 BS. Following the official declaration of war against the state in 1996, the Maoist side killed another NC activist, Purna Bahadur Budha, in a cold blood in 1998, and in September 1999, the rebels destroyed the Area Police Office in the VDC, and  kidnapped Thule Rai, who had just been promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Meanwhile, the police, in retaliation, murdered six persons, including Dhaat BK toward the end of October, the same year. In 2002, a patrol team of Nepal Army (NA) killed 17 locals from Mahat 1 and 2, in 2002.

After enduring the devestation and loss of human lives during the insurgency, the locals are finally learning to move on, let go off the past.

Kumari Budha who lost two of her sons in the war has been running a shop along with her two daughter-in-laws. She set up the shop with the amount received as a relief from the government. While her son Ankit was shot dead by the police in the village, her other son Chabilal died while under-treatment in India following police torture.

Budha says she draws satisfaction from peace that has come to the village. Likewise, Budha’s neighbour, Ramkumar Pun, has been rearing wild boars. “At the time we had to live in a constant fear for our lives, and even though the present situation cannot be termed great, we no longer have to live looking over our shoulders,” Pun said.

Meanwhile, the government, too, has been initiating development works. Following the re-establishment of police post, locals have felt a sense of security, while the reconstruction of VDC office, health post, schools, and other infrastructure has given a renewed hope to the locals.

The VDC has been connected via roads to the district headquarters and work is under way to connect the VDC with the country’s largest Mid-Hill Highway. Likewise the construction of Martyr Road connecting Chunwang-Mahat-Thawang is on full swing.

With the development of infrastructure, locals are becoming independent and starting innovative businesses with loan from co-operatives.

Locals say that more than five dozen conflict victims are now engaged in herb farming, along with other businesses. And with the construction of six kilometre motorable track to Khabangbagar, locals now have easy access to daily essentials.

The locals are also trying to make the VDC a tourist destination by promoting the Magar culture, as Thulogaun and Labang have a majority of Magars, said local Sarita Budha.