Karnali Provincial Assembly Discusses Inisa BK Death Case; Chief Minister Addresses Viral Controversy

Surkhet. The case of 16-year-old Inisa BK, who was allegedly raped and murdered, has now entered the Karnali Province Assembly. During the provincial assembly meeting that began on Thursday, both the Chief Minister and opposition lawmakers spoke about the incident.

Speaking first, Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel provided clarification regarding the false propaganda linking him to the incident by YouTubers. The incident involving Inisa BK occurred on Falgun 23. Chief Minister Kandel visited Inisa's family home in Birendranagar Municipality-1 around Falgun 28 in the morning.

There, he met Inisa's mother, offered condolences, and assured her of justice before leaving. However, when a YouTuber waiting outside tried to speak with Kandel, the Chief Minister did not engage. The YouTuber then took reactions from some youths present.

These youths claimed that the Chief Minister, instead of cooperating with an impartial investigation into the incident, had asked, "When will you collect the body of the victim's family?"

This statement went viral on social media, leading to criticism against Kandel. After the YouTuber caused trouble for Chief Minister Kandel, he issued a clarification on social media. Nevertheless, criticism against him on social media did not cease.

On Thursday's assembly session, he clarified this very issue. Kandel responded in the assembly, stating, "I went to meet the deceased's family considering it my duty. I believe that those involved in the incident will certainly face legal action based on facts and evidence. I expressed to the victim's mother that the provincial government would take necessary initiatives and facilitation." He added, "However, this was publicized in a way that created some confusion."

Kandel further stated, "Tragic incidents must be condemned and denounced. We must create a situation and environment where perpetrators are punished to the extent the law allows." He mentioned that only then can a safe society be built. He then questioned the impact on society of taking matters into one's own hands—acting as judge, investigator, and executor—in the name of protest.

Kandel informed the assembly that he had no conversation with the victim's family as portrayed in the propaganda spread on YouTube and social media. Furthermore, he informed the assembly that a central-level investigation into the incident was currently underway in Surkhet.

Similarly, the Chief Whip of the main opposition party, the CPN (Communist Party), Krishna Bahadur GC, also expressed objection, stating that YouTubers were acting as judges and delivering verdicts on the incident themselves.

"While the investigation into the incident is ongoing, various types of propaganda are being spread on YouTube," he said. "Where will society end up in such a situation?"