Lekhak denies ordering force in Gen Z protests
He maintained that after clashes occurred during the movement, he resigned from the post of Home Minister by upholding political morality as a supreme value.
KATHMANDU: Former Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak has once again clarified that he did not issue any written or verbal orders to use force during the Gen Z protests held on Bhadra 23 and 24 (Sept 8 & 9).
Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu shortly after recording his statement before the probe commission, Lekhak said there is no constitutional or legal provision that allows the Prime Minister or a minister to direct security agencies on the extent or manner of force to be used during protests.
He maintained that after clashes occurred during the movement, he resigned from the post of Home Minister by upholding political morality as a supreme value.
Lekhak further stated that during the Central Security Committee meeting held on Bhadra 22 (Sept 7), he had only provided general guidelines to security chiefs regarding the overall security situation, and interpreting those directives as an order to use force was incorrect.
According to him, decisions on how much force to apply and in what manner during the protests were taken by local administrations and security personnel deployed in the field, based on the prevailing situation at the time.
Lekhak acknowledged that the demands raised by the Gen Z movement were legitimate, but expressed regret that infiltration into the protests led to significant loss of life and property across the country.
