KATHMANDU, Sep 28: The judicial commission investigating the suppression of the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal has recommended the seizure of passports from deposed PM KP Sharma Oli and four other officials to ensure accountability as investigations progress.
This development follows Oli’s denial of issuing shoot orders, despite at least 19 protesters reportedly being shot dead during the protests on September 8, which resulted in a total of 75 deaths over two days, stemming from public outrage against Oli’s government over corruption and social media restrictions.
In the wake of PM Sushila Karki’s swearing-in, the commission was established on September 21 to examine the excessive use of force during the protests.
Alongside Oli, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, former home secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, former chief of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and former chief district officer Chhabi Rijal are implicated.
The National Human Rights Commission criticized the Oli administration’s failure to adequately respond to the protests and condemned the excessive force employed by security forces, which reportedly involved the use of live ammunition to control demonstrators. (PTI)
