Nepal PM Karki vows to punish those involved in violence during Gen-Z protests

Nepal Prime Minister Sushila Karki said those involved in vandalism and destruction during the anti-government protests last week will be brought to justice, as she assumed office and appointed three ministers.

At 73, Karki has made history as Nepal’s first female prime minister. In her first public address, she declared that individuals who lost their lives during the ‘Gen Z’ protests will be honoured as martyrs, and their families will receive compensation of one million Nepalese rupees each.

Karki was sworn in on September 12, ending a period of political uncertainty following the sudden resignation of former Prime Minister K. P Sharma Oli. His departure came amid growing unrest led by the ‘Gen Z’ movement, which was protesting against a social media ban and alleged government corruption.

Late on Sunday, Kulman Ghising, Rameshwor Khanal and Om Prakash Aryal were appointed as ministers by President Paudel on the prime minister’s recommendation, according to sources at the President’s Office. The swearing-in ceremony of the three cabinet ministers will be held at the President’s Office today. 

Ghising, former Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, will lead the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Urban Development, and the Ministry of Energy; Khanal, former Finance Secretary, has been appointed as Minister for Finance while Aryal, an advocate and anti-corruption activist, was given the Law and Home Affairs portfolio.

Senior Advocate Sabita Bhandari was appointed as the Attorney General of the Nepal government, becoming the first woman to hold the position. President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Bhandari, a former information commissioner at the National Information Commission, on Prime Minister Karki's recommendation following the resignation of incumbent Ramesh Badal, a notice by the President’s Office said.

As the Prime Minister’s Office was set on fire during the violent protests on September 9, the government has shifted the PM Office to the newly-constructed Home Ministry building at Singhdurbar complex.

Addressing a meeting of secretaries and senior government officials soon after assuming office she said that the arson and vandalism during the protests of September 9 was “pre-planned” and the Gen-Z protesters were not involved in such activities. "The kind of arson and vandalism that has taken place is a criminal act. This was carried out in an organised manner. Those responsible must be punished," she said.

The government announced that those killed during the Gen Z protest on September 8 and 9 will be declared “martyrs” and their families will be provided one million Nepalese rupees each while ensuring free treatment to the injured. Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal informed that Prime Minister Karki made the decision to this effect while assuming office.

Meanwhile, Aryal said the death toll during the agitation has reached 72. It includes 59 protesters, three policemen and 10 prisoners.

The protests that had begun on September 7 against a government ban on social media, spilled over to September 8 and quickly expanded into a larger campaign reflecting public anger over corruption and perceived apathy of the political class.

Oli quit on Tuesday shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during protests on September 8.

Meanwhile, more than 3,700 inmates, who had escaped from different jails during the violent anti-government protests last week, have been arrested again, police said Sunday. Deputy Inspector General Binod Ghimire, spokesperson of Nepal Police, said that 3,723 inmates have been brought to jails till Sunday afternoon while 10,320 prisoners are still at large.

Some of the prisoners returned voluntarily while Indian police also helped to arrest those who tried to escape to India, he said.