Post by : Shakul

A leaked report from a judicial commission investigating Nepal’s deadly Gen Z protests has held former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak responsible for alleged negligence, recommending legal action against them.

The report, prepared by a three-member commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, surfaced in the media before its official release, prompting the government to announce that it would make the findings public.

According to the report, security agencies, including the Nepali Army, had prior intelligence that the September 8 protests could escalate dangerously. However, no meeting of the National Security Council was convened at the time — a decision that falls under the authority of the prime minister.

During questioning, KP Sharma Oli stated that the government deliberately chose not to deploy the army, aiming to minimise the use of force and avoid casualties.

The protests, led largely by youth groups, turned violent, resulting in widespread arson and vandalism. Key state institutions, including the Supreme Court, Parliament building, and Singha Durbar, were targeted.

A total of 77 people lost their lives during the unrest, with 19 deaths recorded on the first day alone. The violence also caused extensive damage to public and private property worth billions.

The commission has recommended that Oli, Lekhak, and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung be prosecuted under Sections 181 and 182 of Nepal’s criminal code for criminal negligence, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.

It also suggested legal action against several senior officials, including former home secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi and Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, while recommending formal reprimands for others within the security leadership.

Interestingly, the report found no concrete evidence of organised infiltration into the protests, despite widespread public speculation. However, investigators noted a consistent pattern in arson attacks, including disabling CCTV cameras, draining water supplies, burning documents, and setting fire to buildings and vehicles.

The government had initially delayed releasing the report, reportedly due to concerns raised by security agencies that its publication could trigger unrest within the system.

The findings have intensified political tensions in Nepal, raising serious questions about accountability, governance, and the handling of one of the country’s deadliest protest movements in recent years.

#world news #Global News #Asia News #Survival