In an emotional family reunion, 15-year-old Amrita Budha of Mirul-2 in the district met her father after 15 years at district headquarters Musikot on Tuesday. “I had lost my hope that she was alive,” said Amrita’s father Mul Bahadur. “My daughter has got a second life,” he said.

Amrita went missing after her mother Pabita was killed when military personnel opened fire at her in Boharagaun during the Maoist insurgency on December 24, 2001. At that time, local administration used to clamp curfew in Musikot and Pabita is said to have been shot dead when she came out of the house carrying her daughter during curfew hours.

By then, helpless Amrita was only one year old. Her father Mul Bahadur had gone abroad when Pabita was shot dead. Helpless Amrita was raised by a couple, Durga Budha and Bhagisara Budha, in Musikot.

She was again left helpless after the couple died three years ago. Thanks to the efforts of the District Child Welfare Committee (DCWC), she has been able to find her family. The committee members searched for Amrita’s family with the help of police. They organised a family reunion programme in Musikot to hand Amrita over to her father.

In order to meet his daughter, Mul Bahadur walked for two days. “I was searching for my daughter for several years after I returned to Nepal,” he said.

Amrita said she has been happy to meet her father after such a long period of time. “I am lucky to get my family back,” she said. DCWC Officer Manbir Oli said they were elated to have found Amrita’s father.

Amrita said she now wants to focus on her studies living with her father.