Karnali Chief Minister and Police Official Clash Over Party Office Security Incident

Surkhet. Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel stated today that while he is secure, his party office is not in a safe situation. Kandel made these remarks while speaking at a human rights program held in Birendranagar on Friday.

'I am staying here, and as the Chief Minister, I am moving around with state-provided security in front and behind me,' Kandel said, 'but the party office where I belong is currently in an unsafe state.'

Kandel's statement was centered on the torch rally held in Birendranagar a few days ago for the release of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. During that event, an inspector named Rajan Bhattarai, who was providing security, had his teeth broken after being struck by a UML activist.

Following that, an angered police force entered the party office and baton-charged UML leaders and activists. They are commenting that the police committed repression.

Perhaps because the head of the Provincial Police Office was also present, Kandel spoke on this issue.

Kandel further said, 'Tragic incidents happen in movements, they are happening, they should not have happened, and protesters should not lose their sense of judgment.'

However, he stated that those in positions of responsibility (the police) should remain restrained regardless of how tragic an incident occurs.

'But what happens if that restraint is lost? The society reaches a different place,' Kandel added.

Kandel had already left the program after speaking. Provincial Police Office Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Raj Sapkota, who spoke after him, gave a counter-response.

He stated that there is no objection to protesting, but peace and security should not be disrupted.

'Protest, there is no objection, but it should not be done in a way that disrupts peace and security, that is what we said as their procession moved forward with our police following behind,' Sapkota explained regarding the incident, 'The torch rally was held according to the agreement. At the place where the torches were lit, big people of the state surrounded the inspector and broke his teeth.'

Sapkota hinted at the participation of people who are currently representatives of the government in that incident.

'In such a situation, should we just sit and watch?' he questioned, 'Whether it was a nail or something else that pierced the police officer's body, he was hit with a stick. In that situation, it is our right to use a baton charge.'

He stated that force was used thereafter, resulting in some injuries. 'That is the truth, there is nothing more, nothing less,' Sapkota added, 'Treatment is still ongoing, his two front teeth have fallen out.'

Providing further clarification, Sapkota said that demonstrations should also be peaceful and restrained. 'Let there be peace, let there be security, that is what the police are for, man,' he added, 'One should not be happy when it happens to others and sad when it happens to oneself.'