Kathmandu, March 21: A probe committee formed by the National Human Rights Commission has recommended action against former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, then home minister Ramesh Lekhak, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and other officials of the National Security Council for their role in the Gen Z protests.
The committee submitted its report to Commission chairperson Tap Bahadur Magar on Friday after completing its investigation into alleged human rights violations during the protests held on September 9 and 10.
The report concludes that the National Security Council failed to play an effective role during the unrest. It states that despite being responsible for national security, the council did not properly assess the seriousness of the situation or prepare and implement an adequate security plan.
A source said the report identifies several officials, including members of the council, as responsible and recommends legal action under existing laws. The recommendations will move toward implementation once the commission’s full meeting approves the report.
The council, chaired by the prime minister, includes the defence, home, foreign and finance ministers, the chief secretary and the army chief as members.
At the time of the protests, Oli led the council, with Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Ramesh Lekhak, Arzu Rana Deuba, Manbir Rai, Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal and Army Chief Sigdel serving as members.
The commission also recorded statements from several officials and public figures, including Oli, Lekhak, communications minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal Police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung and Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal.
Statements were also taken from former home minister Rabi Lamichhane, Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, and artists Deepak Raj Giri and Nischal Basnet.
Sigdel was called in for questioning but did not appear, according to a source.
The report also finds that a special security plan was not properly implemented and that excessive force, including the use of lethal weapons, was deployed at once instead of in a gradual manner. It recommends action against those involved in such conduct.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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