Home Minister to answer on Tinkune incident

KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Committee on State Affairs and Good Governance has summoned Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to answer questions regarding the incidents of looting, vandalism, and arson that took place during the pro-monarchy group’s protest on March 28.

During a meeting at Singhadurbar on Wednesday, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties demanded an explanation from the Home Minister concerning the damage to public and private property caused by the protest. Committee Chair Ramhari Khatiwada informed that the Home Minister will be present to respond in Friday’s committee meeting.

Citing serious errors by the government, Hit Raj Pandey, the Chief Whip of the CPN (Maoist Centre), stated that the Home Minister must answer for the government’s failure to control the situation. He argued that despite being in a position to manage the protest, the government failed to take appropriate action, leading to a loss of control.

He remarked, “Regarding the events of the March 28, the government did not act properly. When the police had surrounded the protesters, they failed to apprehend them. Now, to say that they will arrest the suspects quickly—who would believe such a statement? The Home Minister must be called in and held accountable.”

Pandey further insinuated that the government had a role in allowing Durga Prasai, a leader of the protest, to escape, and questioned why the police did not arrest him when they had surrounded him.