Kathmandu: Nepal’s former Home Minister, Ramesh Lekhak, told the inquiry commission on Monday that he did not order firing on any protesters during the Gen-Z protests in early September.
According to government figures, 77 people were killed and public and private property worth over 84 billion Nepali rupees was damaged during the two-day protest.
Former Home Minister’s claim: Did not order any use of force
Lekhak, who was then Home Minister in the coalition government led by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, is accused of ordering the use of excessive force during the Gen-Z protests.
The Commission of Inquiry, formed by the current Sushila Karki government to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9, has already recorded statements from security agencies and senior administrative officials.
The former Home Minister, in his written response to the Commission, stated that he did not give any written or oral orders to use force against protesters.
“No law empowers the Home Minister to issue orders for the use of force.”
He also stated that security agencies were instructed a day before the Gen-Z protest to ensure no casualties. The Central Security Committee meeting held on September 7 also did not decide to use excessive force.
The author alleged that the movement was deviated and turned violent by some vested interests, leading to the deaths of several young people on September 8.
Former PM Oli’s statement pending in the commission’s investigation
During the Gen-Z movement, several government institutions and private properties—Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, various government offices, police posts, political leaders’ homes, and business properties—were damaged and set on fire. The author called it a planned attack on the nation and democracy and said those responsible should be punished.
The investigation commission has also decided to record the statement of former PM K.P. Sharma Oli, but he refused to give a statement, citing the commission’s bias.
In a TV interview, the former prime minister said,
“The current Prime Minister and Commission Chairperson Gauri Bahadur Karki has already announced the result using my name. So why should I give a statement?”