Nepal PM Karki vows justice for violence during ‘Gen Z’ protests
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Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday vowed that those responsible for violence and destruction across the country during last week’s anti-government protests will be brought to justice.
Karki, 73, who assumed office at the newly-built Home Ministry building in Singhdurbar Secretariat at around 11 am, also announced that individuals killed during the ‘Gen Z’ protests would be declared “martyrs” and receive one million Nepalese rupees each.
The former chief justice was appointed as caretaker prime minister by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Gen Z group, which ousted the K P Sharma Oli government through a two-day protest on Tuesday.
Addressing a meeting of secretaries and senior government officials soon after taking office, Karki emphasised that those involved in violence and the destruction of public and private property would face legal action. She described the arson and vandalism on September 9 as “pre-planned,” stressing that the Gen Z protesters were not part of such criminal acts.
“The kind of arson and vandalism that has taken place is a criminal act carried out in an organised manner. Those responsible must be punished,” she said.
Karki also instructed Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal to arrange the repair of police posts destroyed during the unrest. With the Prime Minister’s Office at Singhdurbar Secretariat having been set on fire during the protests, the newly-constructed Home Ministry building within the complex will now serve as the Prime Minister’s Office.
The agitation, which began on Monday over a government ban on social media, quickly escalated into a larger campaign reflecting public anger over corruption and perceived indifference of the political class. K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding accountability for at least 19 deaths caused by police action during Monday’s protests.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Aryal reported that the death toll during the agitation has reached 72, including 59 protesters, 10 prisoners, and three policemen.
With PTI inputs