Italian Media: Former Nepalese Prime Minister Arrested: Political Road Remains Fragile
The arrest of former Prime Minister Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has reignited questions about who bears responsibility for the September protests led by Generation Z, which resulted in at least 76 deaths. Despite the new government under Prime Minister Balenendra Shah launching a recovery plan, tensions and concerns over restrictions on civil rights continue to run high within Nepal.
Kathmandu (Asia News) – On Saturday, March 28, the arrests of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak marked a new phase in profound political transformation in Nepal. The United Marxist–Leninist Party (UNMLP) immediately responded, calling for full respect of the rights of its two leaders and their release.
Both individuals have been implicated in the crackdown on the protests held on September 8 and 9. The demonstrations, led by Generation Z, eventually escalated into violent clashes that claimed 76 lives, including at least 20 young people.
During the hearing that led to the issuance of the arrest warrants, government lawyers argued that pre-trial detention was necessary to continue the investigation. The Kathmandu Metropolitan Court ordered five days of pre-trial detention for former Prime Minister Oli (the government had requested ten days), and ruled that the 74-year-old former premier could serve his sentence in a hospital due to a recent kidney transplant surgery.
This decision was based on findings from an investigation committee established after the protests, which concluded that the "recklessness and negligence" of these two former ministers exacerbated actions taken by security forces.
Yesterday, police arrested Deepak Khadka, former Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Agriculture, in an operation seemingly unrelated to Saturday’s arrests. Khadka, a member of the Nepali Congress party, is accused of money laundering, and investigators have gathered multiple pieces of evidence.
The March 5 election marked a sharp decline in power for Nepal’s two traditional parties—the United Marxist–Leninist Party and the Nepali Congress—both of which have played pivotal roles in the country’s political life since the end of the monarchy in 2008. This election favored the rise of new political figures, including current Prime Minister Balenendra Shah, leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which currently holds 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives.
However, despite leadership changes, the situation in Nepal remains tense. Protests continue, with citizens demanding the release of detained ministers and an end to what many observers describe as a “de facto state of emergency,” severely curtailing individual rights.
The aftermath of these arrests and the next steps by the new government are closely watched both domestically and internationally. Just hours ago, the government announced a 100-point recovery plan largely based on the campaign platform of Shah’s party; however, given the current severe political and social tensions, it remains to be seen whether this plan can stabilize the nation.
Author: Steve Suwannarat
Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1861245002331143/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.