PM Oli warns Minister Gurung over 'tongue plucking' comment about IGP

Kathmandu, September 2 — Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has warned the minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung to refrain from making casual remarks in the future. This warning followed Gurung's suggestion that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basant Bahadur Kunwar should have his 'tongue plucked out' for speaking against government policy.

During a Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) event marking the launch of a 24-hour news service on Monday, Gurung said that Prime Minister Oli had cautioned him against making such statements and emphasized the importance of being mindful of his words. Gurung arrived at the event two hours late, explaining that his delay was due to a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Gurung elaborated on his recent comments at the event, saying he had discussed them with the Prime Minister. Gurung acknowledged the Prime Minister’s advice and agreed that, as a government spokesperson, he should avoid making controversial statements and speaking at length on sensitive issues.

Earlier, Gurung had criticized IGP Kunwar for his perceived lack of cooperation regarding police adjustments during a press conference in Pokhara on Saturday.

Gurung expressed frustration, stating that Kunwar had publicly refused to implement the relevant laws on police adjustments, which Gurung found unacceptable. He argued that the head of an organization should not publicly oppose government policies and regulations and reiterated that the process to align the Federal Police Act with federal laws would continue.