Nepal releases ‘Gen Z’ uprising probe report
Uprising probe shock
Kathmandu | Desk: The commission led by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki has made public its detailed investigative report regarding the two-day 'Gen Z Uprising,' an event that sent ripples through Nepal's political and security corridors. Citing gross negligence and security lapses, the report strongly recommends initiating criminal investigations against then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Kuber Khapung.
The commission has clarified that despite continuous gunfire lasting for over four hours, no concrete efforts were made to halt it, a failure that demonstrates a grave dereliction of duty. The investigative report outlines the following 10 key points recommending action at various levels of governance and the security apparatus:
1. The commission has recommended initiating criminal investigations against then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and then-IGP Chandra Kuber Khapung under Sections 181 (Negligence) and 182 (Carelessness) of the National Penal Code, 2017, given the complete lack of promptness demonstrated in halting the gunfire.
2. Action under Section 182 for negligence has also been recommended against then-Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, Armed Police Force (APF) IGP Raju Aryal, National Investigation Department Chief Hutraj Thapa, and Kathmandu's Chief District Officer, Chhabilal Rijal.
3. Departmental action under the Police Act and Regulations has been proposed against five officers of the Nepal Police: AIG Siddha Bikram Shah, DIG Om Bahadur Rana, SSP Bishwa Adhikari, SSP Deep Shamsher, and Inspector Rishiram Kandel.
4. Departmental action has also been recommended against the current Police Chief, Dan Bahadur Karki; he is alleged to have shown negligence regarding the security of weapons and police offices on Bhadra 24 while serving as the Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Police. 5- Action has been recommended under the Armed Police Force Act against three officers of the Armed Police Force: Operation Commander Narayan Datta Paudel, Brigade Commander Suresh Kumar Shrestha, and SP Jeevan KC.
5. Action has been recommended under the Military Act against four commanders of the Nepali Army, Manoj Baidwar, Diwakar Khadka, Ganesh Khadka, and Santosh Dhungel, for security lapses; these officers were responsible for the security of critical establishments such as Sheetal Niwas and Singha Durbar.
6. Criminal investigation and action have been recommended against suspects belonging to the 'TOB Group' who, arriving on motorcycles on September 9, incited protesters and instigated violence.
7. A thorough investigation has been suggested regarding the widespread arson, looting, and vandalism that occurred on Bhadra 24; this includes an inquiry into the cash recovered from the residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as the utilization of CCTV footage and digital evidence.
8. Action has been recommended under the Special Service Act against two officers of the National Investigation Department, Deputy Director Krishna Prasad Khanal and Kathmandu District Chief Riben Kumar Gachhadar, for failing to provide timely intelligence.
9. The Commission has recommended honoring six police officers and two civilians who risked their own lives to protect others, and has further suggested granting a scholarship to Ekta Shah, a student who successfully passed her MBBS examinations despite having sustained injuries during the gunfire.
