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03 March 2007, Biratnagar, 11.00 am: The March was welcomed at the border first by the local police that escorted the march till the No Man’s Land separating Indian and Nepal. The march was first received at the Nepal border by the local NGO, Awaaz. After traditional Nepalese welcome, the marchers crossed over into Nepal where they were received by CWIN Nepal, BBA partner and National Human Rights Commission of Nepal.
The marchers arrived in Nepal with more than 500 people waiting at Kakarbita market.
A small public meeting was held at Kakarbita which was started by Govind Khanal, BBA National Secretary, who originally hails from the area. After speeches by the children, Kailash Satyarthi addressed the crowd. In his very inspiring address, he made the entire Kakarbita Market took a pledge against child trafficking.
After the meeting, it was very difficult to go forward into Biratnagar as a bandh had been declared. Amidst high tension and escorted by a team of Police and National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, the marchers made their way forward. It was awe inspiring to see the children shouting slogans against child trafficking in the middle of the rioting on the streets.
The March reached Biratnagar at 5.30 P.M. and held a small rally before retiring for the night. |
