Ward Chairs protest over delay in arrest of attackers in Hetauda
Although the attackers have been identified, no arrests have been made even after a month, prompting the local representatives to take to the streets in protest against the administration.
KATHMANDU: Ward chairpersons of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City staged a sit-in protest inside the district administration office, demanding the arrest of those responsible for a violent attack that occurred over a month ago.
On Ashar 4, Sabin Neupane, Ward No. 1 Chairperson and spokesperson of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, was attacked at his office.
Although the attackers have been identified, no arrests have been made even after a month, prompting the local representatives to take to the streets in protest against the administration.
Nyaupane expressed frustration that despite CCTV footage clearly identifying the assailants, the investigation and legal proceedings have not progressed. He said he now feels unsafe working from the ward office and has been forced to conduct his duties directly from the district administration premises.
Deputy Mayor Rajesh Baniya accused Chief District Officer (CDO) Skim Shrestha and Superintendent of Police (SP) Bishwaraj Khadka of political interference and negligence in handling the case, despite multiple discussions with the administration.
District Administration Office spokesperson and Assistant CDO Rajendra Prasad Kandel stated that police investigation is ongoing at a rapid pace.
He added that police arrived at the scene minutes after the incident, but the attackers had already fled. Kandel assured that the case will be processed strictly according to the law without political bias.
The protest has also received support from the Nepali Congress. Utsav Itani, Chairperson of Nepali Congress Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, criticized the CDO’s weak leadership, blaming it for the failure to apprehend the attackers despite adequate police resources. He further accused the CDO’s irresponsible conduct of increasing such incidents in Makwanpur.
The failure to arrest the culprits and advance legal proceedings over a month after the attack has raised serious concerns about the district’s security. CDO Skim Shrestha and SP Bishwaraj Khadka have faced widespread criticism.
The protesting ward chairpersons have announced they will continue their sit-in inside the district administration premises for two days, providing public services there, and have threatened to escalate their movement if their demands are not met.
