Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushila Karki, announced that those involved in the violence and destruction during the anti-government protests across the country last week would be brought to justice. Karki also declared that those killed during the Gen-Z demonstrations would be declared martyrs, and their families would receive a compensation of ten lakh Nepalese rupees.
She took office at the newly constructed Home Ministry building in the Singh Durbar Secretariat in Kathmandu. Former Chief Justice of Nepal, Karki, was appointed acting Prime Minister by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Gen-Z group, which had ousted the K.P. Sharma Oli government through a two-day protest that concluded on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, sources in the President’s office have indicated that President Paudel, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has appointed Kulman Ghising, Rameshwar Khanal, and Om Prakash Aryal as ministers. According to sources, Ghising will receive the Ministry of Energy, Urban Development, and Road and Transport; Khanal will receive Finance, and Aryal will receive the Home Ministry. The swearing-in of these three ministers will take place at the President’s office this afternoon.
Following the arson at the Prime Minister’s office during the violent protests last Tuesday, the government has moved the Prime Minister’s office to the newly constructed Home Ministry building in the Singh Durbar complex. Addressing a meeting of secretaries and senior government officials immediately after taking office, Prime Minister Karki stated that those involved in the violence and destruction of public and private property would be brought to justice.
She said that the arson and vandalism on the protests of September 9 were pre-planned and that the Gen-Z protesters were not involved in such activities. Karki stated that the type of arson and vandalism was a criminal act, which was carried out in a planned manner, and those responsible should be punished.
She also instructed Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal to arrange for the repair of police stations destroyed across the country. The movement, which began last Monday on social media against government restrictions, soon turned into a major campaign, reflecting public anger towards corruption and the alleged indifference of the political class.
K.P. Sharma Oli resigned after hundreds of protestors entered his office and demanded his resignation for the deaths of at least 19 people in police action during the demonstrations. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Aryal reported that the number of deaths during the protests had risen to 72, including three police officers. He added that these included 59 protestors and 10 prisoners.
